Richardsons Trading Company

The traditional view of a pawn shop is a dark and musty place filled with sad stories of need and death. Richardson’s Trading Company is in many ways a pawn shop but it is anything but dark and dusty or sad. For ninety-five years Richardson’s has been a repository for the amazing art treasures of local Native Americans. It acts like a bank providing a safe place for valuables. Additionally the "bank" provides needed funds when it is necessary to pay a power bill or visit a doctor. Shimas (mothers) and cheis (fathers), who cannot sign their names, but transact business with a thumbprint, bring in their children showing them the way to protect family valuables. Their trust in the Richardson family is the key to the relationship. Mr. Richardson is over 90 years of age.

We were taken on a complete tour of the block square premises including a visit to the vault and the vault within the vault where the most valuable items are kept. Within these safes are rugs, saddles, jewelry, pottery, baskets, hides and more. Local natives bring in their valuable items and pay a monthly fee to keep them safely stored within Richardson’s vast rooms. All these items lend Richardson’s an air more of a museum than a store, with top quality artifacts on display.
Some of these wonderful works of art are for sale. On a tour of the store, our host Larry explained "dead pawn," articles whose owners no longer pay the monthly fee. Many of these are antiques and are for sale. In addition, newer jewelry, rugs, pottery and leatherwork created by local artists are for sale. Larry supplemented Shelly’s lesson on the many styles of Navaho rugs with an explanation of the labor involved. The weavers are primarily women who spend up to eighteen hours a day for months to create a collectable rug. On many rugs there is a line leading from the middle of the piece to an edge. This spirit line allows the spirit to leave the rug and not remain trapped forever.

After viewing the wonders of Richardson’s, many of us felt obligated to thank them with our credit cards. The men and women of our group left with some new adornments as souvenirs of this beautiful country we are touring.