By Peter Covino
Entertainment Editor

You won’t find an historic document signed by George Washington or a pair of handcuffs once owned by Harry Houdini – but the Mega Pawn & Jewelry store in Kissimmee still offers some adventure and intrigue, much like its TV counterpart, “Pawn Stars,” on The History Channel.

There is no “Chumlee,” Rick Harrison or  “The Old Man,” some of TV’s Pawn Stars, but shop owner/manager Dave Larson knows a thing or two about the pawn business as well.

And while Mega Pawn is not open 24 hours, the shop will even get a bit of a circus atmosphere Saturday, March 5, when it hosts a charity car and bike show in the parking lot to benefit the New Hope for Kids charity.

“We have been open since May 24 (2010),” Larson said, and in that brief time, he said he is optimistic the shop has helped put a positive spin on the pawn business in the area.

Historically, pawn shops usually don’t have the best image, he said. In movies and cop shows, it has often been the pawn shop where the bad guys go to get some cash for stolen items.

But state and local laws have changed all that.

“All transactions go to the (Kissimmee) Police Department,” he said.

Mega Pawn & Jewelry is a brightly lit establishment, with wide aisles and an atmosphere more reminiscent of Best Buy or Target than a pawn shop.

“My mom is in her 80s,” Larson said. “I want her to feel comfortable here.”

If you are in need of a greatly discounted television, guitar, computer or other electronic items, Mega Pawn usually has a wide selection to choose from.

Among the shop’s signature items: a working traffic light signal and a remote control plane that looks like it is large enough to transport a small child. The traffic light is priced pretty much so no one will buy it, since it is sort of the shop’s icon, Larson said. It is one of the first things you see when you enter the shop. The plane is priced at about $1,000.

And the shop has several glass cases with diamond rings, bracelets, watches and more.

A pawn shop is one of the best places to go to get jewelry at discounted prices.

There are a few items in the display cases that are not for sale though — like some fake Rolex watches.

“I bought them mostly to keep them off the market,” so they don’t get sold to an unsuspecting buyer, he said.

Mega Pawn operates pretty much like every other pawn shop in the country: people looking for some fast cash bring an item in to be pawned. They get some cash and the item goes into the shop’s back room. If it is not claimed within the contracted time, it belongs to the pawn shop and will be sold.

Almost everyone who comes into the shop, “are good, solid people,” he said, “who are having trouble with bills.”

Larson said about 80 percent of his customers come back and retrieve whatever it is they pawned.

“We turn down any items that I don’t feel comfortable with,” he said, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it might be a stolen item.

After working in the business awhile, Larson said he can tell when someone is pawning something because of a drug or alcohol problem.

He said he recognized one such case and actually sat down with the woman and talked to her, leading her get some help.

Larson said he sometimes finds himself buying an item he has no use for or pays a little extra for, just to help out someone in need.

“This is my community,” Larson said.

He has lived in the Kissimmee area for 45 years.

“I try to help out,” he said.

The community spirit is how the upcoming car and bike show came about.

Mega Pawn was a failed restaurant before it became a pawn shop last year, and because it was a restaurant, it has a really large parking lot.

There is more space than the shop would ever need, he said.

Mega Pawn and Team Roadrunner will host the car and bike show Saturday, March 5, in the rear parking area of the store (4006 W. Vine St.). The event starts at 1 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m.

New Hope for Kids is an Orlando-based charity helping families through terminal illness, grief and loss.  The charity’s Wish Program grants wishes to children 3-18 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

The show’s award ceremony is at 7 p.m. Trophies will be awarded in various categories. More than 100 cars and bikes are expected. Registration is from 1 to 4 p.m. and cost is $15. Call 407-201-3578 for more information.