Hardcore Pawn, a popular reality show about American Jewelry and Loan, finished in 2015 after running for nine seasons. Though the show has ended, people still wonder if the pawnshop is still running today. Here’s what’s happening with it now.
The answer is No! Hardcore Pawn is no longer operating. After the TV show ended in 2015, Les Gold, who owns the American Jewelry and Loan pawn shop, expanded his business. He opened new stores in Southgate and Lincoln Park in 2021. He continues to support charity events in Detroit and works on improving his family business. This has created jobs for around 200 people.
Seth Gold, Les’s son, is still working in the pawn business. He and Les started a new online service called FastPawn in 2019. This service helps people manage their pawn loans online. Seth helped expand the pawn business into Southgate and Lincoln Park as well.
Ashley Gold, Les’s daughter, left the pawnshop to start her own business.
Even though the TV show ended, American Jewelry and Loan is still doing well thanks to the Gold family’s hard work.
Overview of the Show
Hardcore Pawn is a reality show about a family-run pawn shop called American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit. The show began in 2010 and became popular. It showed the everyday events happening at the pawn shop. Les Gold, the owner, comes from a family of pawnbrokers. The shop began in 1978 and moved to its current location in 1993.
Les has a son named Seth and a daughter named Ashley. Seth went to the University of Michigan and worked on marketing at the shop. Ashley studied business and knows a lot about diamonds. Both of them worked at American Jewelry. Sometimes, they would argue like typical siblings.
The show had many seasons, and each season had several episodes. The last season aired in 2015. The show highlighted different situations and exciting moments at the pawn shop. It was like a reality show about a family-run business.
Les also owns another pawn shop in Pontiac, which was shown on the show. Seth tried to secretly sell it in some episodes, causing drama in the family. The show gave viewers a look at pawn shops and the unique items people bring in to sell or pawn.
Is Hardcore Pawn still operating? Is the business active?Controversies and Criticisms
In one season, there was a major problem involving the Gold family and stolen art. Tony and Dina tried to sell paintings worth over $1 million without the owner’s knowledge. They pretended to be friends with Les, the pawnshop’s owner, to get a good deal on the paintings. The owner found out and told Les, Ashley, and Seth about it.
Some people criticized ‘Hardcore Pawn’ for being fake. They thought the show was scripted because it made everyday events seem too dramatic. The Gold family was accused of not acting well and exaggerating their reactions. Although some viewers still enjoyed the show, others thought many of the fights and issues with employees were planned.
Les, the owner, said the show was not scripted, but some customers might have acted out to get attention.
There were other issues with the show too. Some people didn’t like how customers from Detroit, especially African Americans, were portrayed. They felt the show made them look angry and uncultured. The way demanding customers were shown made them look silly and stereotypical.
What Happened to Rich Pyle?
Though the show ended in 2015, people still watch it on TikTok. Rich Pyle, who used to work at the pawn shop, became well-known.
Rich was known for his spiky hair and his disagreements with Ashley (the co-owner). Later, he stopped working at the pawn shop. The shop continued running, but Seth and Les were in charge after Ashley left to start her own business.
A former employee named Bobby shared what happened to Rich on TikTok. Bobby explained that Rich got into trouble, was put on probation, and eventually fired by Les and Seth. There was a strange situation that led to his firing.
Bobby said that Rich’s job was to assist customers at the layaway window. But he got distracted and started doing things for the TV show instead of focusing on his job. This caused problems, and he was eventually let go after his probation.
Bobby noted that Rich was good at his work but started caring more about the TV show than his job at the pawn shop.
Is Hardcore Pawn still operating? Is the business active?Each of these shows offers something fun and interesting, with a mix of learning and unexpected discoveries.
Comparison Between ‘Pawn Stars’ and ‘Hardcore Pawn’ After the huge success of ‘Pawn Stars,’ it’s no surprise that others tried to create similar shows, like ‘Hardcore Pawn.’ Some say that ‘Hardcore Pawn’ is very similar to ‘Pawn Stars,’ but with a few differences. Both shows are about pawn shops, but ‘Pawn Stars’ focuses on learning about history, culture, and society.
‘Hardcore Pawn,’ on the other hand, is more about drama, fights, and shocking moments to keep people watching. The shows also have different types of customers and focus on buying and selling different things.
In 2012, Les, from ‘Hardcore Pawn,’ talked about trying to team up with people from ‘Pawn Stars.’ He said they wanted to work together, but it never happened. Les thought ‘Pawn Stars’ might have been scared of them because they were tougher and in better shape.
Is the Show in Business?
Hardcore Pawn is no longer in business. The reality show, which showed the day-to-day activities of American Jewelry and Loan, ended its run in 2015 after nine seasons.
Even though the show finished, American Jewelry and Loan continues to operate. Les Gold, Seth Gold, and Ashley Gold, the pawnshop owners, have moved on to new projects. Les opened new pawnshops in Southgate and Lincoln Park and is involved in charity events in Detroit.
Seth launched FastPawn, an online payment service, while Ashley pursued other business opportunities. Though Hardcore Pawn may be over, the Gold family’s entrepreneurial spirit is still alive.