Pawn shops, once considered the seamy underside of commerce, have become a mainstream destination for individuals and small businesses looking to cope in today's economy.
As a result, many pawn shops are prospering both locally and nationwide.
A recent market report by Los Angeles-based industry research firm IBISWorld said the pawn shop industry "has thrived through tough economic times," with a 2.6 percent annual growth rate since 2006.
During that time, industry profit margins increased from about 15.5 percent of revenue to 17.5 percent.
