Gold store allowed to open in Peru but a city ordinance is likely to follow

Sell your gold, invest in gold, whatever the ads say, you’ve heard it.  Gold buying businesses are the latest fad and it’s caught the City of Peru of guard.

A gold and silver buying business is ready to open downtown, even as the chief of police is working on an ordinance that would regulate gold stores and secondhand shops.

Khalid Jibawi and Samantha Bruce told say they checked with the city clerk months ago but only recently have ran into to trouble with city officials as they prepare to open.  They explained their situation to the city council Wednesday night.

Part of the snag is zoning.  That type of business is specifically allowed or forbidden for that location, so building inspector Frank is treating it as a jewelry store which is allowed.  Not every agrees.

Jibawi says he checks IDs, keeps of recording of sales and makes his books open to the police, many of the things that would be required in the ordinance.

He says he wants to open before he misses the busy Christmas season.  Legally he can and if an ordinance is passed, he’ll have to follow it.

Earlier in the evening, regulations for pawn stores were approved by the council.