Employee Profiles

“Red”
The namesake of Red’s Pawn Shop is Keith “Red” Kaser. Born in Plymouth, Indiana, in 1923, Red had been in business in the Michiana area for most of his life. Former businesses included automotive sales and service, school bus contractor, ice cream route distributor, bar owner, firearms dealer, and, of course, pawnbroker. Of the many professions he experienced throughout his life, pawnbroking was the one he loved the most and felt he was born to do.

Following his death in 1995, Red’s ashes were placed in an hourglass-shaped urn which has been kept at the South Bend store location ever since. Customers still drop by to see the hourglass and to request that we ”flip it over and put Red to work.”

Red may be gone, but he will never be forgotten, especially his fair-minded, honest, and kindhearted dealing with every customer who walked through the doors at his namesake, Red’s Pawn Shop!

Steve Krupnik, one of the owners of Red’s Pawn Shop, established the business in 1977 in conjunction with the gentleman who inspired the name of the business --- Keith “Red” Kaser. First acquainted in the in the automotive and real estate business, the two realized there was good business to be done with good people to whom mainstream means of credit was not available. Schooled in Business Management, Accounting, Gemology and Appraisal, Steve has always sought to learn more to better serve his customers, employees and community.

A lifelong resident of South Bend, Steve is an active participant in the community and takes great joy in lending a helping hand in many ways. But his involvement doesn’t stop at the local level. Steve is deeply involved with the pawnbroking industry, serving on the Board of Directors of both the National and the Indiana Pawnbrokers Associations for a number of years.

Part of the art of being a pawnbroker is having a sixth sense about how much things are worth both new and used. As an experienced pawnbroker, Steve gets most of his information about prices by walking around stores and looking at catalogs, and also by talking with other pawnbrokers. The real experience comes from buying and selling things every day. He's been in the business for over 27 years.

Hi my name is Jesse Boyer and I’m a more recent member to the Red's team! I am originally from Detroit Michigan , and moved to Indiana in 2002. The Motor City is my roots, but I sure love this area that I now call home. I am a seasoned musician that loves to play the guitar, piano, bass guitar, and many types of musical instruments. I am also an eBay Powerseller who truly enjoys finding great products, at a great price, for my customers on the Internet. You can check out my auctions on eBay under seller ID redspawnshop-2 or just click the link on our website. I have taken to the pawn shop lending world whole-heartedly, and I am here to help you fine folks get the cash you need in your pockets, or the great deals you want in your hands. So come check me out on the web, email me at jesse@redspawn.com or come on over to the Mishawaka Red's Pawnshop. I hope we can meet soon!

If you’ve yet to discover the hidden treasures and ebullient charms of Red’s Pawn Shop, here is your personal invitation from South Bend Store Jewelry Manager Pam Schweizer! Managing and displaying treasures of 'the best little pawn shop in Indiana' is a very important part of her profession. So is making you feel at home! Having humbly served Red’s Pawn customers for the better part of a decade, she anxiously awaits meeting you and sharing some of life’s experiences. Pam enjoys having a positive affect on customers’ lives, helping them choose a beautiful diamond to last a lifetime, or perhaps a special heirloom to pass down for generations to come. Always ready with a quick smile and a happy “hello”, Pam’s greatest pleasure is to make every visit to Reds Pawn Shop a delight for you.