Rick Harrison, Star of Pawn Stars

Perry Lewin, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn President meets Rick Harrison in Las Vegas.  Rick Harrison is the star of the hit T.V. series Pawn Stars on the History Channel.  Rick’s pawn store is name Silver & Gold Pawn, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event pictured was an event for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reed.  Pawnbrokers from around the country assembled to meet and greet Senator Reed at a posh country club on outskirts of Las Vegas.

Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)

February 27, 2011

All in a day’s deal
It may not be TV, but customers are happy nonetheless

VALERIE WELLS H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — Decatur Jewelry and Pawn employee Dennis Wittig used to have an “emergency ukulele.”
When he was having a bad day, he’d take it down off the wall and play for a few minutes. Then one day a customer came in and wanted to buy it.

“He didn’t have the heart to say ‘no,’ “ said store owner Perry Lewin. With the popularity of “Pawn Stars” on History Channel, people are finding out that pawn shops aren’t the seedy, scary places they might have thought they were. Lewin has met Rick Harrison from the show and says he’s a funny, friendly guy and that the show has done much to bring pawn shops out of the shadows. Harrison’s narrative at the beginning of his show includes the phrase, “I never know what’s going to come through that door.” One of the oddest things Lewin has accepted as a pawn was someone’s pet cockatiel. “The guy called me and said he was going out of town for 30 days and asked me if I’d take his bird,” Lewin said. Lewin is a third-generation jeweler whose father and grandfather ran a jewelry business in Chicago. After college, Lewin entered the family business, and when he got a chance to open a store in Decatur, he decided to make it a pawn shop, too. He and his staff have to know a little bit about a lot of things to make good offers, but he employs people who are experts in their fields. Wittig, for example, is a working musician. Jerri Harres used to work for K’s Merchandise and handles jewelry. She can resize, repair or even create a custom piece. Doug Peak is the firearms expert. The store offers a warranty, and power outlets are available near amplifiers, computers, electronics and stereos so customers can test them for themselves. Millions of people nationwide have no bank account, Lewin said, so when an emergency arises, they need a loan. He has regular customers who come back again and again, and just as many who come not to pawn items, but to buy or sell. One item, still in a back room waiting to be prepped for sale, is a marble Louis XVI clock. It belonged to a man who inherited it, had no use for it and brought it to Lewin. Such items are rare finds, however. The most common items pawned or sold at Decatur Jewelry and Pawn are jewelry, followed by electronics and game systems. The number of flat-screen TVs alone is mind-boggling. Philip Worthey, manager of Pawn King on East Eldorado Street, said the weirdest thing he’s taken in was a real leopard-skin rug, including the head. He agrees that pawn shops have an undeserved reputation for being seedy, but one way he tries to combat that image is by keeping his store clean and bright, refusing pornographic movies as pawns and instructing employees to refrain from foul language on the sales floor. “They wouldn’t do that, anyway; they’re good people,” Worthey said. “I want this to be a place where people feel comfortable bringing their kids in, without fear they’ll see or hear something they shouldn’t.” One thing “Pawn Stars” gets wrong, though, Worthey said, is that people aren’t lining up to bring in valuable antiques or rare collectibles. Most of the ones who show up at Harrison’s Las Vegas store are there because he’s on TV, and they hope they will be, too. A regular pawn shop rarely sees that sort of thing. Shoppers looking for items such as jewelry and electronics can save a bundle by buying from a pawn shop, he said. People often don’t realize that diamond jewelry, unless the diamond is very large, isn’t valuable for the stones. Only the gold matters.

2011 SHOT Show-Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Back in 1979 before the first SHOT Show, organizers worried that industry professionals might not show up for the fledgling event, a story recounted in the just-released National Shooting Sports Foundation 50th Anniversary history publication. Organizers needn’t have worried then, or now, about the vitality of the SHOT Show.

The 2011 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show soared above expectations by setting records for buyer attendance at 31,769 and media attendance at 2,074.

Overall attendance of 57,390, comprising buyers, exhibitors, media and guests, ranked the show as the third largest ever behind the 2008 and 2010 events. In this sluggish economy, the SHOT Show demonstrates the resilience of one of America’s oldest industries and the popularity of its products.

“The importance of the SHOT Show to the firearms industry cannot be overestimated,” said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of NSSF, which owns the trade show. “The SHOT Show is simply the must-attend business event for all segments of our industry. Based on what we’re hearing, industry has every reason to think that 2011 shows promise of being another strong year.”

Filling the Sands Expo and Convention Center to capacity with 1,600 exhibiting companies covering 630,000 net square feet with their booths, SHOT Show brings together all facets of the $4 billion industry. Many companies use SHOT Show, the largest trade show of its kind in the world, to announce new products and services. Buyers and media members are able to handle and discuss products that include firearms, ammunition, outdoor and tactical clothing, optics, knives, related accessories and law enforcement equipment.

A number of changes were made to exhibition halls to make navigating the huge show easier, including widened aisles, better signage and a new escalator. Those changes received widespread positive responses. “There was much better traffic flow,” said exhibitor George Trulock, whose choke tube company booth was set up on the lower floor. “The changes that were made worked.”

Comments from exhibitors and buyers confirmed that the 33rd SHOT Show was a success.

Bob Morrison, president and CEO of Taurus, captured the mood with his comments in a local television interview: “We are having terrific growth right in the middle of this recession, and I’m delighted to be in this business.”

Other industry professionals were just as upbeat about both the show and their prospects for the year.

Lea L. Ramthun of Beretta said, “Busy is the word. Dealers are excited about our new products. We’ve seen a lot of smiling, happy faces.”

Paul Pluff of Smith & Wesson said, “The show has been an extremely positive event, very busy—almost busier than I have ever seen it. We anticipate a great year due to a very successful SHOT Show.”

Samuel Glen of Weather Stone Ltd. said, “I’m the guy who puts the guns in the movie stars’ hands. I have to see what’s new, and this SHOT Show has been really great for that. Everything has been really smooth and set up so that it has been easy to get my work done.”

Laurie Aronson, president and CEO of Lipsey’s, a distributor, said, “Lipsey’s is going full speed at this show. We’ve heard nothing but positive comments from retailers who are telling us they are busy.”

Randall Pence, of Sturm, Ruger, said, “Traffic in our booth has been super. Our Scout rifle has been of big interest, and our LC9 pistol has been the hit of our booth. We’re sensing a very positive attitude from everyone.”

Chris Schwarzkopf of ArmaLite Inc., said, “New products are the retailers’ main focus. We’ve seen a lot more traffic in our booth than we expected, and we added some excitement in our booth with a simulator made by Cubic.”

Blake Mecham of Browning said, “Foot traffic is up, attendance is great, we’ve had good buzz about our products and our 1911-22 was the hit of the show for us. This SHOT Show has put us in a good position for the year.”

Retailers like Ron Mengel of San Juan Shooting Range in Montrose, Colo., say that attending the SHOT Show is a must. “I come to the show to stay current, to see people in industry and to get ideas about new ways to retail. We live in an out-of-the-way area, so finding these quality products can be a challenge.” Internet-based retailer John Riddle of Outdoor Elements added, “Companies are really evolving and thinking outside the box, which is tremendous to keep the sport going. It’s enjoyable to see the innovations that are out there.”

More than 100 countries were represented at the show. Steve Collings of New Zealand-based Steve’s Wholesale said, “We import a lot of ammunition and gunpowder, so it’s very important to come and talk to my suppliers, to find new products, to get updates, to get a heads up on a change in metal prices. It’s absolutely essential to be here.”

Retailers do more than purchase products for their stores at the show. They improve their business skills at SHOT Show University, which was sold out, and at seminars where representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives review regulations that apply to federally licensed retailers. For the second year, law enforcement professionals were provided with their own series of educational seminars.

With media at an all-time high, a larger press room, including a new working press area, was widely praised. Media also turned out in force at Media Day prior to the show, where they could test new models of firearms and other products.

Highlights from the show included . . .

Some 2,000 industry guests attended the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner sponsored by the Outdoor Channel at which NSSF reviewed its accomplishments over the past year. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy provided entertainment.

NSSF announced its 50th anniversary celebration and publication of “The National Shooting Sports Foundation: A History 1961 to 2011, 50 Years of Promoting, Protecting and Preserving Hunting and the Shooting Sports by NSSF, the Firearms Industry’s Trade Association.” An accompanying film, which will soon be available online, was shown at the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner.

Doug Painter, NSSF’s longest-serving employee and former president and CEO, who will retire this spring after 37 years with the Foundation, was honored for his service to the industry and the organization.

Bob Behn, 41-year industry veteran and former Marlin president and CEO, was presented the NSSF-Ken Sedlecky Achievement Award.

Michael Bane, television host, blogger and author, received the Professional Outdoor Media Association-NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award.

The NSSF Retailer of the Year Award was given to Sportsman’s Warehouse in Rocklin, California.

The 2012 edition of the SHOT Show will be January 17-20 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

For coverage of the show visit www.shotshow.org.

The US Mint started issuing the American Eagle Silver Bullions coins in 1986 and they have appeared annually since then.

Designed as investment tools with their weight and purity guaranteed by the United States Government, demand for the silver coins was extremely high in the previous two years. In 2008, 19,583,500 of the coins were sold, with an astonishing 28,766,500 sold in 2009. Prior to these two years, it was uncommon for sales to reach above 10 million annually.

The United States Mint does not sell bullion eagles directly to the public, but instead to a small group of authorized purchasers who in turn resell them to precious metal providers, investors, dealers and collectors. These coins do not have a mintmark, unlike their numismatic counterparts.

2010 Silver Eagles were released on January 19, 2010. Due to the high demand for the coins, they are distributed by the Mint in an allocated, or rationed process.

American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Design

2009 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin, Reverse – Click to Enlarge

Obverse design: Adolph A. Weinman’s 1916 “Walking Liberty” half dollar was used as the original design for the silver bullion coin. On it we see Lady Liberty walking while holding an olive branch. Also shown are the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the year.

Reverse design: US Mint Engraver John Mercanti designed the original for the reverse which shows a Heraldic Eagle and shield. In the eagles beak is a scroll containing the words “E PLURIBUS UNIM.” Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “1 OZ. FINE SILVER” and “ONE DOLLAR.”

Coin Specifications & Information

Product Availability

Pawnshopstoday.com is the pawn industry’s national voice.  This site was developed to offer people a national site with correct facts relating to the pawn industry.  Any person, group or affiliation that is seeking correct, truthful and factual information on the pawn industry can find it here.  Audiences include politicians, political aides, journalists, media personal, consumer groups and consumers, among others.

http://pawnshopstoday.com/Home.html

Please use this link to find the latest and most current information on the pawn  industry.  There you will find a host of informative facts and information about our industry, with links to various sources that you will be able access and surely find the answer to your questions.

If you are having trouble locating the information you request, you can also contact the National Pawnbrokers Association, NPA, at their official website.

http://www.nationalpawnbrokers.org

If you are in Illinois and are intereted in finding information on the pawnbroking industry in Illinois, visit

http://www.Illinoiospawn.org.

The National Pawnbrokers Association held its 1st annual Musical Instrument Gift Day on December 6th.  Pawn shops in 14 states across the country joined forces this holiday season to provide underprivileged children with over 300 musical instruments. www.GiftDay.org

If you know of a pawnbroker who is doing exceptional community service please let us know so we can include their efforts in our on-line presence.  Thank you.

I just returned from an exhausting visit to the 2010 “SHOT” Show in Las Vegas, NV.  “SHOT” means Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade. The “SHOT” Show is the world’s largest firearm, hunting & outdoor trade show, featuring thousands of vendors and exhibitors.   This year’s show was held at the Sand’s Expo & Convention Center and this year’s attendance was in excess of 58,000 attendees.  This is almost a record, coming close to the 2008 show, which brought in a staggering 59,000+ attendees.

The show features world-wide vendors and manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, outdoor and tactical optics, camping, apparel, cutlery, law enforcement and related products and services.  The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association, (NSSF),  owns and sponsors the “SHOT” Show.

From the moment the beginning bell rang, until it sounded 4 days later at the show’s close, I knew this was going to be a hugely successful show for both buyers and sellers.  Many vendors and exhibitors were offering excellent show specials to buyers and many buyers were ready to purchase, so it was a good marriage this year.  With the economy being in such a slump, many smart vendors had deep discounts, as much as 30% off regular wholesale prices.  Ready buyers were able to take advantage of this year’s buying opportunity to re-stock their retail shelves.  This, of course, will provide considerable savings to the retail consumer who is struggling to maintain tight budgets and still purchase products that many have been holding off on purchasing.

Every name brand you can think of was exhibiting at the SHOT Show like, Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Benelli, Browning, Sig Sauer, Glock, H&K, Colt, Springfield Armory, Mossberg, Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, Beretta, Kimber and many, many more.  There are just too many to name.  To be exact, there were 1,633 exhibitors this year.

In addition to the products and services offered the “SHOT” Show offered many educational seminars for firearm retails and special training classes for law enforcement personnel.  This show is the complete package for anyone who is in the in shooting, hunting or outdoor trade industry.  One cannot come back from this show without a better knowledge, understanding or insight into one of America’s oldest industries and have a finer appreciation of the U.S. Constitution’s 2^nd Amendment:  The Right To Bear Arms.

Next year’s SHOT Show is slated for January 18-21, 2011, at the Sands Expo & Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Perry Lewin, President, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn

Pictured along with Wade and Logan are his parents, Jerry (back row, middle) and Cathy (front row, right), Kirk Myers, Prairie State Bank & Trust President (back row, left) & Perry Lewin, President, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn, Decatur, IL.

Decatur Jewelry and Pawn presented Logan Bloemer of Effingham, Illinois the 2009 Future Business Leaders Scholarship award. Logan is attending the University of Illinois this fall in Champaign, IL. Also present is Wade Bloemer, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn’s 2008 scholarship recipient.

The scholarship is given out by the National Pawnbroker’s Association, (NPA.) www.nationalpawnbrokers.org

The Future Business Leaders (FBL) Scholarship Committee accepts applications from NPA members desiring to sponsor applicants that fulfill the merit requirements for $1,000 Scholarship awards.

The FBL Scholarship Fund was founded several years ago to benefit the children of slain police officers and the children of pawn customers. Today the program also provides an educational opportunity for pawn industry employees and their families with financial needs. Several pawnbrokers have consulted with local politicians and church officials for student referrals who have shown exemplary community or church involvement, as well as scholastic and academic excellence.

This is a wonderful way for pawnbrokers to show appreciation to their community.

The FBL Scholarship Fund has qualified for 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, making donations a charitable contribution. Learn how to donate to this fund.

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn Owner, Perry Lewin, speaks to Decatur, Illinois’ Herald & Review newspaper about the pawn business in today’s economy.

See full article in the Herald & Review…

From left to right: Frank Ingram, IPA Vice President, Kathy Pierce, IPA Secretary, Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Perry Lewin, IPA State Director, Jacob Shane and David Shane, IPA President. Front row: Carmencita Shane, IPA Treasurer.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, (D-Illinois) met with members of the Illinois Pawnbroker Association leadership in Decatur, Il. Senator Durbin visited Perry Lewin’s store, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn.

The purpose of the meeting was a fact-finding meeting and pawn-store tour for the Senator and his staff. Mr. Lewin hosted the IPA leadership and the Senator to open dialogue between the pawn industry and his office.