On the evening of May 13, 2019, firefighters were dispatched to Diamond Ridge Pawn located at 6894 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429.(Chronicle Article)  As the pictures below show, the fire damaged much of the inventory, and destroyed vital tools and supplies necessary to maintain and operate the business.

It was like many other days. The shop closed up around 5:30 pm that day, James Bailey, Partner and Jeweler, and Chris Pace, Partner and Floor Manager, locked up the shop and walked to the parking lot, talking for about 15 minutes about life. At 5:45pm James headed over to pick up his children from after-school activities. He planned to return to the shop to finish up a little paperwork and such, prior to going home that evening. He pulled up to quite a scene – with four teams of firefighters on the scene, smoke billowing out of every side of the building, and flames breaking through the roof.

Ali Bailey, Owner and Business Manager, received a call from a friend who drove by and saw the firetrucks. Ali rushed to the shop, arriving before James, and she ran to the building, nearly passing out at the sight – a scene that was later described as surreal and heart-wrenching. She was asked to move to a safer position and needed to be physically supported as she crossed the street to watch what had become a part of her world go up in flames. Every dollar they had was tied up in that building, and it was an extension of herself. She called her mother for emotional support as she felt her world falling apart. The rest of the team arrived later, confused, scared, worried, and watching a real-life nightmare happening right before their eyes.

The fire was successfully extinguished by 6:47pm.

Like many, James and Ali had a dream for a better tomorrow.

Wanting to become an asset to the local economy, provide a necessary service to the community, and achieve a brighter future for their family, James and Ali Bailey scraped together everything they had to invest in a business they can be proud of.

In addition to their own money, they had taken out loans to cover the difference needed to purchase the shop. They have invested time in learning new skills to enhance the services they provide. And, they have worked hard to prove they care about their staff, their clients, and the community. As a result, they have recently been named Citrus County’s 2019 Best of the Best Pawn Shop in the Citrus County Chronicle’s Readers Choice Awards (an announcement that will not be formally made until June).

James said the contest staff recently dropped by, notified them of their achievement, and gave them the official signage for their store window. James sadly pointed out that the signage melted in the fire.

Over the past year and a half, they have struggled financially to overcome setbacks and reorganize the business. Through relationship-building, they have been successful in bonding with the local community and their clients. They have taken the old shop, and former ways, and implemented a new business model, helping to enrich the lives of others. They were taking a good thing and making it much better.

Even with such a tight budget, they kept Chris Pace, who was an employee under previous management, on as a staff member and immediately realized his value as a loyal and experienced asset to the team, so they named him a partner in the business. Chris is the face you see when you walk through the door.