What happened to Hardcore Pawn?

Hardcore Pawn was a reality TV series that followed the daily operations of a pawn shop named American Jewelry and Loan, owned and run by the Gold family in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The series, produced by Zodiac USA and Richard Dominic Productions, aired its premiere episode in August 2010. The debut attracted over two million viewers, making it one of the most-watched premieres on TruTV at the time. The show's concept mirrored the format of Pawn Stars, with various individuals visiting the shop to pawn or sell unique and antique items.

The series ran successfully for nine seasons before it was eventually canceled in April 2015. Hardcore Pawn introduced audiences to the unique and sometimes high-stakes world of pawnbroking, with storylines focusing on the intriguing dynamics within the shop and among its employees. The interactions between the staff and customers often revealed the challenges and excitement of running a pawn shop in a bustling urban area.

Leslie “Les” Gold, a third-generation pawnbroker and businessman, opened American Jewelry and Loan in 1978 at the Green Light Shopping Center on Eight Mile Road in Oak Park. He later relocated the business to Detroit’s Eight Mile corridor, where it became a landmark. The shop offers short-term pawn loans with moderate interest rates and storage fees and also serves as a premier location where customers can buy or sell a wide variety of items.

Over the years, American Jewelry and Loan expanded, with Les opening additional stores in cities such as Pontiac, Hazel Park, Southgate, and Lincoln Park, Michigan. This growth reflected Les’s entrepreneurial spirit and his keen understanding of the pawnbroking industry. Each location aimed to provide a reliable option for customers seeking pawn services or looking to purchase unique goods.

The main cast of Hardcore Pawn consisted of various members of the Gold family, including Leslie, Seth, and Ashley Gold, as well as other employees like Karen Mitchell, Bobby Janietz, Byron Hook, Joe Felix, Rich Pyle, and several others. Throughout the show’s nine seasons, some cast members departed or took on different roles, which added to the evolving drama and kept viewers engaged.

Les Gold himself became a well-known TV personality thanks to his role on the show. Born in Detroit on June 20, 1950, to Jewish parents, Les was immersed in the pawnbroking business from a young age. His grandfather owned Sam’s Loans, a pawn shop in Detroit where Les made his first sale at just seven years old. By twelve, he was already showing business acumen by buying pizzas and reselling them to his classmates at Hebrew school.

In 2013, Les published an autobiography titled For What It’s Worth: Business Wisdom from a Pawnbroker. The book tells the story of how he built his business from the ground up and offers readers valuable insights on negotiation and managing a successful business. Les promoted his book on popular programs like ABC’s Good Morning America, where he discussed his approach to negotiation and shared tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Les has been married to Lily Gold since 1975, and the couple has two children, Seth and Ashley. Since the shop opened, Lily has worked as the office manager of American Jewelry and Loan, though she only appeared on the show a few times in the first season. Their son, Seth, is a TV personality, producer, and motivational speaker who co-owns the shop with Les and Ashley. He took charge of the shop’s marketing efforts, contributing significantly to its growth.

Ashley Gold holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University and has a diamond certification from the Gemological Institute of America. This expertise qualified her as the head of the jewelry department in the shop, where her knowledge proved invaluable. The sibling rivalry between Ashley and Seth became a recurring storyline on the show, adding drama and showcasing the unique family dynamics within the business.

After nine seasons, TruTV chose not to renew Hardcore Pawn as the network shifted its focus toward more comedy-oriented programming, a direction that didn’t align with the show’s format. With no other networks picking up the series, production officially ended in 2014, marking the close of an era for the Gold family on television.

Security issues were a constant concern for American Jewelry and Loan, as is common in many pawn shops. Despite precautions, the shop experienced its share of attempted thefts. One notable incident involved an employee. During the season six finale, Joel “Joe” Shannon, the shop’s head of security, was caught stealing jewelry from a coworker’s desk. After reviewing security footage, the Gold family confronted Joe, who admitted to the theft and was subsequently arrested, shocking many fans who had grown to like his character.

Joe wasn’t the only employee involved in misconduct. In season four, a new counter employee, Teresa, attempted to steal items by taking them from storage and selling them online. Ashley, who had initially hired Teresa, quickly grew suspicious, and the Gold family discovered the scheme before Teresa could cause significant harm.