‘Times are hard, come here for a safe spot:’ Prince George veteran-owned business seeks to expand

Aug 21, 2025 - 00:25

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‘Times are hard, come here for a safe spot:’ Prince George veteran-owned business seeks to expand

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Prince George County veteran-run and family-owned business is focused on providing affordable prices on second-hand goods to the community.

Second Hand Cash, located at the Crossings Shopping Center in Prince George, is owned by veteran Christian Morgan.

Morgan talked with 8News about his main goal when it comes to his store, which was formerly owned by his parents.

Business owner and veteran Christian Morgan. (Photo: Nia McMillan/8News)

"Where our focus is, [is] offering top dollar for people's merchandise," Morgan said. "Whether they're just looking to upgrade or they're in need of some extra cash, they can bring it in here to a safe environment and let us appraise it, and then we'll be able to offer them cash on the spot."

Morgan emphasized that his location is not a pawn shop nor a thrift store, as they do not carry certain items such as firearms, clothing, furniture or medical equipment.

However, it is a place where community members can purchase items for 80% under the regular retail price.

"[We carry anything] from home stereo equipment, jewelry, car audio tools ... all sorts of electronics, outdoor power tools, lawn equipment, sporting goods, computers, laptops, cameras -- a little bit of mixture of everything," Morgan said.

Morgan showed off one unique find: a self-transforming and dancing transformer.

The store's location isn't by accident. Morgan stated that this spot really spoke to him and that he liked its proximity to the local military base, Fort Lee.

"Seeing that I retired from the Army [in the] last year or so, and we were right outside Fort Lee, and being here -- coming here and seeing the soldiers during the weekends or throughout the week, it kind of makes me feel a little bit more [at] home," Morgan said.

The merchandise at Second Hand Cash also comes with a 30-day warranty, which Morgan highlighted, as he wants to give customers that "peace of mind that they need when buying pre-owned merchandise."

The veteran is also seeking to change the perception around second-hand shopping within the community.

"The stigma behind it is that it's overpriced merchandise, and dirty merchandise, and stuff like that," Morgan said. "For us, our focus is to make sure that we are bright and open, that our merchandise is cleaned and refurbished right and is priced accordingly to be able to save people their money. My thing is, I focus on the customers, so when they come in here, we don't try to just sell them anything and everything."

Second Hand Cash located in Prince George County. (Photo: Nia McMillan/8News)

Aiding the Prince George community is something Morgan also aims to do and seeks to provide a positive impact.

"I mean, life is hard for everybody nowadays -- so this is, for me, I feel like this is a way for me to give back to the community by giving them quick access to cash," Morgan said. "Just because times are hard, and it gives them the ability to save money on quality merchandise."

Since its start, Morgan said that the store has invested approximately $225,000 back into the community by purchasing from neighbors and giving them a place to turn items in.

"Giving it back, again, to the people themselves," he said.

According to Morgan, within the past 10 months, customers have also saved around $420,000 by shopping at Second Hand Cash.

Second Hand Cash located in Prince George County. (Photo: Nia McMillan/8News)

Although there are financial benefits, Morgan said it's not about the money, but the community.

"That's the reason I love this. I love this business," Morgan said. "I grew up -- my family's done this for 30 years, and I was able to watch my parents make impacts to young families, [to]anybody ... just growing up and seeing the impact that they made gave me a reason to come back and do this, because I'm giving back to the community."

Second Hand Cash is set to expand its locations later on in the year.

"I just want to get through Christmas -- [so,] after the first of the year, the goal is to expand into Richmond area," Morgan said.

Within the next five to six years, he also hopes to expand with other locations up north.