Pawnbrokers thrive even in Beverly Hills

WHETHER it’s a Tiffany diamond or a three-year-old lawnmower, more and more Americans from all social classes are pawning their possessions to make ends meet.

Pawn shop owners see strong business across the country, even in unexpected locales like Beverly Hills, the mecca of luxury living and shopping.

“Banks aren’t lending so people are coming here for short-term loans against collateral like diamonds, watches and other jewellery,” said Jordan Tabach-Bank, CEO of Beverly Loan Co, self-described “pawnbroker to the stars.” “I do see my share of actors, writers, producers and directors,” he said, but also cited more visits from white-collar professionals, and especially business owners struggling to meet payroll obligations.

“We still do the five-, six-figure loans to Beverly Hills socialites who want to get plastic surgery, but never have we seen so many people in desperate need of funds to finance business enterprises,” he added.

In the 70 years of the family business, Beverly Loan, which usually charges 4% monthly interest on loans, has never loaned so much as it has in the past few months, he said.

“We’re a lot easier to deal with than a bank,” he said from his office on the third floor of a Bank of America building near Rodeo Drive. An armed security guard watches over the reception, where case after case is filled with precious gems.

It’s less glamorous at Mo Money Pawn, in the grimy area of central Phoenix, where building contractor Robert Lane waited for the shop to open its doors so he could pawn a table saw he bought for $900.

“It’s to get ahead and pay off some of the bills,” he says standing outside the store, where he hoped to get $300 for a cherished workshop tool he now rarely uses as work dries up.

There are as many as 15,000 pawnbrokers across the United States. As the US recession deepens, pawnbrokers — long seen as a lender of last resort — are noting a rise in business.

Pawnbrokers say they are thriving as home foreclosures spiral and bank credit remains scarce.

“Business is good,” Mo Money owner Eric Baker said. “They are coming in with the houseboats, the quads, the Harleys... The toys they can live without, sitting in the garage,” Baker said, sitting in his office at the store, where several of the staff have pistols holstered in their belts.