Pawn shop attracts unique items for reality show

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A local pawn shop challenged customers to bring in their most unique items. It's all part of an effort to start a new reality TV show.

From bricks of silver to gold coins, everybody hoped to make a pretty penny at RamZs Emporium Monday night.

"This is a flathead catfish that weighed seven pounds. I'm thinking it was 49 inches long," Tracy Niccum said.

That's right, Niccum brought in a 4-foot-long stuffed catfish. The taxidermist sold it for $450. Although Niccum walked away with a pocket full of cash, others weren't so lucky.

Tom Walgamuth brought in a framed check, supposedly signed by George Washington. But after some examining, he was told his check wasn't worth a dime.

"When you look at it really up close, you can see that the color on the supposed check document is composed of little colored dots, so it's not real," Walgamuth said.

Like Walgamuth, everybody visiting hoped to have a unique enough item to make it on Hoosier Pawn, a reality show the pawn shop is starting on their own.

Owner Randy Ramsey said the show will be successful because the shop sees similar things as other reality shows.

"We'll have somebody come in with an item on their show and the same day, somebody will bring the same thing here. So, we have a lot of unique things here in Lafayette," said Ramsey.

Ramsey said the purpose of the show is to help show the history of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County. He wants to tell stories and use unique items to do it.

"If you're really looking for something unique, you're not going to find a better place," Niccum said.

Ramsey said they're determined to have some fun along the way.

Hoosier Pawn will air its first episode at 7:30 p.m. April 13 on WLFI.