I always recommend people have their locks rekeyed after buying a new home. Think about it–you have no idea how many people have keys to your house if you don’t give those locks a fresh start. Plus, it’s actually handy to have all your exterior doors open with the same key. I first met the folks at Ethier Locksmith and Sharpening when I was brand new to selling houses about 10 years ago, and was selling a house with an accessory apartment with a tenant. There were no instructions about the locks, but when I left the house I twisted the little knob lock and used the key for the deadbolt. How would I know that the tenant didn’t have a key to the knob, just the deadbolt? Well, I sure found out quickly, because she was furious at me. Ethier Locksmith and Sharpening to the rescue! They came right away and really saved me from tenant-wrath.
I’ve recently interacted with Josh Richard, who has worked at Ethier since 2008 and has owned the company since 2013. Most recently I had a listing that was selling and I learned shortly before the final walk through that the sellers had no keys to the house. You might think that’s odd, but that’s also the case at my house, which I should probably do something about. In the case of my listing, I had Josh go and replace an exterior door knob that wouldn’t lock, and rekey it to match with new keys to the front door.
Thinking about replacing door hardware, changing your locks, or need something sharpened? Give Josh a call at 978 537 5622.
From the Ethier Locksmith and Sharpening website:
“We are the original Ethier Locksmith established in 1903! We are a fully mobile service, offering the same great service and price, with the bonus of us coming to you! We service, repair, replace and re-key all types of locks and door hardware. We also offer sharpening services: knives, chisels, axes, garden equipment, scissors and more. No job to big or to small, if you aren’t sure if we do it give us a call. We offer all the same service but make it easier as we come to you.
In 1903 Joseph (Joe) Ethier founded Ethier Locksmith and Sharpening under J. Ethier & Sons at the company’s original location on Rollstone St. in Fitchburg, MA.
The business subsequently moved to North St. in Fitchburg, MA which would become their most prominent location and is still remembered by customers to this day. They served the community with Locksmith and Sharpening services for many years in this location.
In the mid 1980’s grandson Robert (Bob) Ethier took over the company and moved to a few different locations before settling down on Hamilton St. in Leominster, MA where the company remained for over 15 years.
In 2008 Joshua Richard started working for Bob Ethier and running the day to day operations. In 2011 Bob Ethier suffered an an unfortunate accident landing him in the hospital for over a year making it very difficult for him to return to work. This ultimately lead to Bob deciding to retire from the business.
On April 23 2013 Mr. Ethier sold the company to long time employee Joshua Richard with the promise that the Ethier family name and business principals would continue on through him.
In 2019, due to the pandemic, we closed the Hamilton St. location and transitioned into a fully mobile Locksmith and Sharpening company.
Today we continue to operate proudly under the Ethier Locksmith & Sharpening founded by Joe Ethier in 1903 as one of the longest operating locksmiths in New England.”