That Key Shack on Poplar
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Kerry (admin)
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A-1 Keys East Memphis key shack knife sharpening Memphis key cutting
A-1 Keys, Memphis, Tenn.
A few days ago, someone on Facebook asked me what the deal is with that little key shack on Poplar Ave. between Colonial and Mendenhall.
The place is called A-1 Keys, and it’s a tiny, tan building right next to the train tracks. The building has a bit of a temporary air to it, but it’s been there forever. Several huge signs advertise A-1′s key cutting and knife sharpening abilities.
I stopped by yesterday to get a set of spare house keys made. There were a few people standing around outside (you can’t go in the building), waiting for their keys. I gave the nice college-age kid working inside my keys and he returned about two minutes later with a pair of shiny, new keys. The total cost was $3.28. When I handed him $4, he passed a dollar back to me and said that he could come up with the $.28.
A-1 Keys, Memphis, Tenn.
There was a steady stream of people walking up to the window to get keys made, including one heavily tattooed man in jeans, a t-shirt with cut off sleeves and a Santa hat. Hey, everyone needs keys.
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A-1 Keys
10:52 am
Best place to get knives sharpened in the city. I take my kitchen knives there all the time.
10:56 am
they are the only ones who I will go to for getting keys made. L**** and H*** D**** always seem to mess them up. The hours are a little unpredictable, but it is worth it.
10:57 am
Was the guy in the Santa hat riding a bike? I saw him riding around yesterday.
11:07 am
The only place to get keys done fast easy friendly
11:12 am
I love that you posted about the key shack. Hilarious.
11:52 am
I like their sign that says “We sharpen ALMOST anything.” I always wonder what they won’t sharpen.
Also, I read somewhere that the guy who owns the place used to be a lawyer. One day he decided he was (understandably) sick of lawyering, so he quit and started a key shack by the railroad tracks. It seems like a natural progression now, I guess.
1:41 pm
Best place to get your chainsaw blades sharpened!!
11:57 am
Adam – I heard the same story. I was about to comment about that as well!
9:29 am
It’s amazing, so convenient, they get your keys right which is apparently harder than you’d think given how many times the big box stores get them wrong. And best of all, take Brad’s advice. Bring these folks your kitchen knives and get them properly sharpened. It’s such a treat!