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ECW FOUNDER TOD GORDON'S CARVER W. REED PROFILED FOR 160th ANNIVERSARY

Among wrestling fans, Tod Gordon is best known as the found of Eastern (later Extreme) Championship Wrestling, ECW, which went on to become one of the most popular promotions in the history of pro wrestling, but Gordon's long-standing relationship with the city of Philadelphia was, in many ways pre-ordained. 

Today, his family business, pawn shop Carver W. Reed was profiled by The Philadelphia Inquirer as it stands tall at 160 years old, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.  The institution is so old, Gordon pointed out, that's this isn't the first pandemic its faced.  It was around during the Spanish flu epidemic.

“We’re still here,”  Gordon said. “The last pandemic couldn’t shut us down, and neither will this one.”

The pandemic, however, has scuttled big plans to celebrate Carver's 160th anniversary.

“A lot of people are hurting. I don’t think we should celebrate anything this year. But it’s disappointing.  I wanted to thank my customers for helping us hit this big milestone birthday.”

Carver W. Reed was founded in 1860 and has been in its current location since 1888.  Tod Gordon's grandfather purchased the business and since then, it has remained a family business with Tod's wife, son and daughter all currently working for Carver. 

While not mentioned in the article, without Carver, there certainly would have been no Gordon investing in professional wrestling, launching the original incarnation of ECW.  Instead, the article focused on how Gordon has tried to assist his customers, then and now, even when they have fallen behind on payments, allowing them extra time to re-pay their loans and retrieve family heirlooms and jewelry.

“You treat people with dignity and give them respectful, professional service,” said Gordon. “That’s what keeps customers coming back.”

Carver W. Reed is the fourth oldest operating business in the city of Brotherly Love.

Thanks to Darren T. for passing on the article.

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