Last week Governor Janet Mills told us that all non-essential businesses should close for the duration of this outbreak.

Several types of companies did not make the cut that felt they are more critical than given credit for initially.

According to News Center Maine, pawnshops in other states are filed under financial institutions, but not here in Maine.

The owner of Top Dollar Pawn in Sanford, Scott Drew, told the news station, "In my opinion, and in the opinion of many other pawnshop owners, we should be deemed essential because we are banks for people."

He also went on to say that "100% I've had someone say they were coming to get money because of the COVID-19 shutdown."

But News Center Maine reported that the Department of Economic and Community Development said this to them: "The aim of the Executive Order is to reduce the opportunities for people to congregate and to interact with each other so as to reduce the spread of this highly-contagious virus. The Department recognizes that these measures are difficult for Maine people and businesses, but Maine is confronting an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19, and measures like these are necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus, to protect the health of Maine people, and to save lives."

They department added that Mainers can still access banks and lending institutions for "financial service needs."

This whole story has certainly made me rethink some things when it comes to essential businesses.

Either way, what do you think? Do you think Pawn Shops should be allowed to stay open?

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