Property History & Reason for Sale: The building was constructed in 1912 and named as a contributing structure in the Downtown Winston-Salem Historic District. It successfully operated as the iconic Camel Pawn Shop at this location from 1961-2023. This property is eligible for Historic Property and Opportunity Zone tax benefits. The estate of the former owners has decided on this one-time only sale, passing substantial savings and considerable opportunity on to new ownership. 

Area Description: Located in the heart of Downtown Winston-Salem, the building is located directly across the street from multi-level public parking and a Class A Office building. It neighbors the transit center and is within 1-2 city blocks from The Millennium Event Center, high-end hotels, restaurants, and shopping. 

Building Description: The property is a three-story (plus basement) masonry commercial building which was constructed in 1912. The building is constructed with a concrete foundation, wood subfloors, brick and concrete block exterior walls, and a rubber membrane roof covering. The front side of the second and third floors has been covered with a masonry exterior or cladding which covers the window units and façade on these two floors. Current ownership reports that the masonry exterior or cladding can be removed to open the windows and façade if desired by a future owner.

The first floor has a recessed storefront with aluminum framed glass display windows and two double-door storefront entries with transoms that are recessed between storefront displays. There is a metal pull-down overhead door which encloses the recessed space and provides security for the building. A flat metal canopy covers the storefront, and the floor of recessed storefront is covered with terrazzo tiles. It contains 3,381+/- square feet on the main level excluding the recessed area with attached display cases. The second and third floors contain 4,361+/- square feet each for a total above ground building area of 12,103+/- square feet. There is a full unfinished basement which contains 4,361+/- square feet. There is a freight elevator which provides access to all four levels, and it is in good working condition. There is also an interior stairwell that provides access to all four levels. There is a pedestrian door along the rear side of the building which provides additional access to the main level which includes the elevator and interior stairwell. 

The main level retail space prospered as The Camel Pawn Shop from 1961 through 2023. This floor is primarily an open retail space with columns, office, two restrooms, elevator and stairwell situated at the rear portion of this level. This level  is heated (gas forced air) and cooled (HVAC). The second and third levels are primarily an open unfinished space with columns and beams, storage room, elevator, and interior stairwell. These levels are heated. The basement is primarily an open unfinished storage space with columns and beams, storage rooms, interior stairwell, and elevator at the rear of this level. There is an enclosed interior corridor or hallway which runs around the perimeter of the basement level. There is a wood ceiling at the basement level and supporting columns. 9’-15’ ceiling heights throughout. 

Current signage on the upper floors along Liberty St. consists of mid-century individually lettered green tiles that read “CAMEL PAWN SHOP,” above “ HOME OF LOW PRICES.” The back side is completely painted red with “CAMEL PAWN SHOP,” above “ HOME OF LOW PRICES,” above “ ESTABLISHED 1931”. There is an image of a camel. This rear façade is tastefully done in a vintage motif.

Zoning: CB-WO (Central Business - Winston Overlay District) features an array of permissible uses including but not limited to Retail, Office, Restaurant, Hotel, Multi-Family, and more. The Permitted Use Schedule can be found in the Document Section of our website, and the complete Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinances (dated 8.15.24) can be downloaded at  https://www.udoclearcode.org/ . For specific zoning and use questions, please contact Zoning Department representative Marc Allred, 336-747-7069 or [email protected]

Historic Tax Credit Info: This building is a contributing structure to the Downtown Winston-Salem Historic District. For information you may contact: 

Heather M. Bratland, MArH

Historic Resources Officer at Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission

336-747-7054 (o) | [email protected]

For Historic Tax Credit Information Visit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/rehabilitation-credit#recapture

Opportunity Zone: This property is located within a Qualified Opportunity Zone with eligible benefits to ownership. For full details visit: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones

Lot Description: This parcel contains .11 Acres (4,900+/- square feet) of land on the west side of N. Liberty Street between W. Fourth Street and W. Fifth Street in the central business district of Winston-Salem. The site is rectangular in shape with 48.9 feet of frontage along N. Liberty Street, and a depth of 100+/- feet. There is an alley owned by the City of Winston-Salem along the north boundary of the site, and a parking lot owned by the City of Winston-Salem adjacent to the rear, or west, boundary of the site.

Parking Description: The legal description in the most recent deed indicates the subject property is subject to easement for private alley at rear of the lot, and ownership reports they enjoy access currently to the rear side of the building. 

Ownership reports permission for spaces for 3 to 4 vehicles to park adjacent to the north side of the building in the alley which runs along the north side of the property has been provided by city officials, by way of signed letter by Brent McKinney, Director of Transportation as of October 30,1995. 

Forsyth County PIN #:  6835-27-1217

Deed: Deed Book 3652 on Pages 3531-3533

Tax Value: $413,100

2024 Property Taxes: $6,166.76 (To Be Prorated & Paid at Closing)

Utilities: All public utilities are reportedly available to the property

Flood Zone: The property is not located within a flood hazard area or watershed area according to the Forsyth County GIS website.