Pawn broker Matt Toepfer (left) shakes on a deal with customer Westly Nickrand of Elgin Monday at Windy City Jewelry & Loan in Elgin. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Floor manager Israel Favela (center) answers customers question Monday at Able Pawn Shop in East Dundee. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Items like old baseball cards can be purchased at Windy City Jewelry & Loan on North McLean Blvd. in Elgin. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Manager Hank O'Grady talks negotiates with a customer Monday at Windy City Jewelry & Loan in Elgin. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Guitars for sale at Able Pawn Shop in East Dundee. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Pawn Broker Matt Toepfer checks out a pair of military binoculars for the 1930's brought in by customer Westly Nickrand of Elgin Monday at Windy City Jewelry & Loan in Elgin. Both agreed on a price and deal was made. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Manager Steve Dorfman (right) watches a customer conduct business Monday at Able Pawn Shop in East Dundee.October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
A diamond ring for sale at Windy City Jewelry & Loan in Elgin. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Floor manager Israel Favela talks with customers Monday at Able Pawn Shop in East Dundee. October 1, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
ELGIN — The hit cable-TV shows “Pawn Stars” “Cajun Pawn” and “Hardcore Pawn” make the pawn-shop business seem fascinating and glamorous. Real-life customers on The History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” for example, walk into the Harrison family’s shop in Las Vegas hoping to sell a Civil …
