Our Story

Our family has been a part of the fabric of Alton as business owners/operators for over 100 years and 4 Generations! Sam Balaco I purchased the Modern Store (a local clothing store) in 1917, then the BonAir in 1938. Lotteo Balaco joined the business in 1941. Besides owning the BonAir for 40 years, Lotteo had Holliday Hills Riding Stables, H&H Sales, and was integral in many other local businesses.

He was always buying and selling any kind of merchandise: saddles, gold, silver, diamonds and more! Anything that would make a dollar! He set in motion the standard of business & customer service we still use today! Sam Balaco II joined the BonAir in 1975 until they sold it in 1981. Lotteo opened Lotteo’s Restaurant in 1981 and Sam Balaco II opened Sam’s Loans, Inc. (Sam’s Pawn Shop) in 1991. Daughter, Stacy Balaco Dixon, joined him in 1995, Son-in law, Corey Dixon in 2005 and most recently, Grandson, Matthew Dixon in 2025.

With Sam’s passing in 2022, ownership transferred to his daughter, Stacy Balaco Dixon, making her one of only a handful of WOMAN OWNED & OPERATED Pawnbrokers in the country! She’s updated the interior and exterior of the building, made a few key changes, expanded what we offer as far as jewelry and more! However, she’s kept the familiar feel and family run business that customers have come accustomed to since Sam opened in 1991, working side by side her husband, Corey and son, Matthew.

We are proudly locally family owned and operated. We live here, we were raised here, we raise our families here and plan to continue that for many years to come! Being in business in Alton is in our blood and our family history, and we value this community for having helped us grow in business for over 100 years!

Thank You all for sharing in our history and our future. We’ve built trust in the community for generations, stop in today and let us show you how! This is who we are and all we do!