A-OK Pawn Shop owner Bruce Harris plans major expansions and new stores

WICHITA — A down economy means business is up for A-OK Enterprises, and owner Bruce Harris has big expansion plans.

"The economy has been very poor, and because of that, people are changing the way they're shopping, and they're buying a lot of stuff from me," he says of his four A-OK Pawn Shops.

All of his businesses — the pawn shops, 12 check-cashing sites, two jewelry stores and two cell phone stores — are doing well.

"In the past year, we've doubled our business in the collateral loan business," Harris says.

As banks turn away business, Harris says people needing money turn to his pawn shops.

Also, gold is at an all-time high of $1,400 an ounce.

"That's unheard of," Harris says.

He says $400 an ounce was the average price for the last 20 years.

"It's helping the consumers."

Two years ago, Harris had 70 employees throughout his businesses. Now he has 107, and he expects to have more than 200 within a year.

He plans to expand in several ways.

Harris in the process of doubling the size of two Cricket stores he owns.

He's also looking to open two new pawn shops in Wichita.

"What I have, it just works."

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This story was originally published November 9, 2010 at 5:17 AM with the headline "A-OK Pawn Shop owner Bruce Harris plans major expansions and new stores."