MUSCATINE, Iowa — Pawnbroker Mike Tutor of Bettendorf opened his own pawn shop in Muscatine — Cedar Street Pawn — in September 2007, trading his time for the satisfaction of being able to help people in a tight spot.

As a child, Tutor would hang out in a pawnshop owned by family friends. By the time he was 18, he was sold on the business.

Today, this busy father of three is preparing to expand his business.

He and his partner, Mark McFadden, plan to move from their current location at 208 Cedar St. into a more spacious location at 227 E. Second St. by December of this year.

Personal

Name: Mike Tutor

Hometown: Bettendorf

Age: 31

Family: Wife Anna, sons Braydon, 11, and Zane, 4 months.

Occupation: Pawn broker. Owner of Cedar Street Pawn in Muscatine since September 2007, with partner, Matt McFadden.

Q&A

How did you get started in the pawn-broking business?

I’ve been around the pawnbroking business my whole life. Matt McFadden, my partner, and his family have always had pawn shops. We were around them when we were kids. I officially started working in the pawn broking business when I was 18.

What experience or qualifications does a person need to become a successful pawnbroker?

People skills, money skills and computer skills.

What is the  favorite part of your profession?

I like helping people out of tight situations. Some-times people have an item of value they can’t take to the bank, but they can bring it here and get a loan.

What are some of the most common items your customers bring in?

Phones, movies and jewelry are the most popular. And we do take gold.

What can customers buy at your shop?

Electronics, gold, cell phones, tools, car audio equipment, CDs. are some of the things we sell.

How often do people return for the items they had pawned?

We see 55 to 60 percent of our customers come back for their things. That’s pretty good. The percentage is 35-40 percent in the Quad Cities.

How is business during this economically challenging time?

We see more people when there’s a downturn in the economy.

Do you offer a guarantee?

I guarantee the items people buy here will work. I give them a warranty just like any good store does.

Editor’s note: Every Monday, the Muscatine Journal profiles a local figure who responds to questions provided by one of our reporters.