That Key Shack on Poplar

That Key Shack on Poplar

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.

Go There:

A-1 Keys

4859 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117

Comments Make Us Happy

11
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Brad K
Best place to get knives sharpened in the city. I take my kitchen knives there all the time.
March 9, 2010 10:52am
Eric Meyers
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.
March 9, 2010 10:56am
Scout
Was the guy in the Santa hat riding a bike? I saw him riding around yesterday.
March 9, 2010 10:57am
Corinne Dennis
The only place to get keys done fast easy friendly
March 9, 2010 11:07am
Sara Brock
I love that you posted about the key shack. Hilarious.
March 9, 2010 11:12am
Adam
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.
March 9, 2010 11:52am
susan
Best place to get your chainsaw blades sharpened!!
March 9, 2010 1:41pm
Jonathan C
Adam - I heard the same story. I was about to comment about that as well!
March 11, 2010 11:57am
Nicole
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!
March 12, 2010 9:29am
Ken Buchanan
What time do you close tonight?
August 9, 2012 7:42pm
Bob
Address?  I need to get some kitchen knives sharpened.
January 11, 2014 4:44pm