By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Every week viewers across the country tune into the History Channel for some quality time with the guys of ‘Pawn Stars,’ a reality television show that takes place at Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas.

More than 1,800 miles east, Niles is home to a few pawn stars of its own.

Ken Parritt has been running Ken’s Discount Sales, on South 11th Street in Niles, at that location since 1996.

He’s a veteran to the business, having worked in his father’s shop out of his home in Sodus and later owning multiple shops in South Bend before moving up to his current Niles location.

“My dad started it,” Parritt said. “I was working a trade — I was a pattern maker.”

Eventually, he dropped that trade, Parritt said and got into his father’s business. “I’ve been in it since 1979.”

Viewers familiar with the History Channel’s hit show know the sense of family and humor that abounds at the famous Las Vegas shop — and the same feeling is had when standing up at Ken’s counter with Parritt and his son, Kevin, who helps run the business.

“It’s opened people’s eyes to what we do,” Parritt said of the reality show.

Still, more than just another business noticed as part of the light shined down by the reality entertainment industry, stores like Ken’s are a testament to the times.

Whereas some business see struggle when economies are down and more and more budgets are strapped, Parritt said rough times are generally good times for businesses like his.

And the flow of customers in and out, bringing their valuables with them, is a sign rough times.
“There are a lot of people selling stuff,” Parritt said. “People are broke.”

On the front counter, a small television is tuned into the national news and a glass case off to the left is filled with a variety of jewelry. Behind it, guns line the wall.

Ken’s has just about anything, including digital cameras, guitars and tools.

“You never know what you’re going to get in here,” Parritt said.

Including stolen property.

It’s not uncommon for individuals to bring in stolen goods hoping to make a little money.
“This business is checked daily by the law,” Parritt said, adding that customers are fingerprinted and have their pictures taken when something they’ve brought in is bought.

“We keep a record,” Kevin said. “And we send our record into the police weekly.”

Getting stolen property isn’t the only unfortunate reality tied to the business.

There are those who bring in items that simply can’t be bought a harder rejection to make when times are tough.

“A lot of times they’re bringing in rummage sale stuff,” Kevin said. “And you just have to let them down easy.”

And there are those customers emotionally distraught over having to bring their valuables in for sale.

In such a respect, Ken’s Discount Sales isn’t just a family business but a community business — a collection of property and valuable items, sentimentalities and hard to part with pieces.

And the Parritts don’t discount that community — giving back when they can.

“If they’re having something for someone who has cancer,” Kevin said of local charity fundraisers or auctions, “we’ll give them something to offer.

“I don’t think it’s just the families that needs to help these people,” he said. “I think everyone needs to throw in a little bit.”

After more than 20 years in the business, in the community, building a customer base that crosses state lines Parritt said he’s now looking for a little change of pace and is looking to get out of it.

One can imagine the memories attached to some of the items on the shelves and in those glass cases, can’t really compare to those of the man behind the counter.

“This business — it’s a great business. It’s a fun business,” he said.

So what will he do when he’s done with it?

“Fish,” Parritt said.