Waco_Tribune_Herald_Sun__May_19__1957_-1v9r2be

(Ambold’s advertisement from the Waco Tribune Herald. May 19, 1957)

The beginnings of Ambold”s Lock and Key had little to do with lock or keys. In 1872 H.E. Ambold began a general store to serve the many needs of Waco’s citizens. Ambold’s primarily sold sewing machines and outdoor products. Mr. Ambold was well known in Waco for being knowledgeable in guns and fun accessories. He sold everything from hunting rifles to pistols advertised for self-defense. According to the Waco Citizen newspaper, Mr. Ambold was the man to see regarding fishing rods and fishing tackle. Ambold’s sold other outdoor products for the sportsmen like decoys and clothing, and was liked for selling merchandise that was out of season along with the in season products. Along with the sewing machines and outdoor products, Ambold’s was a first line seller in razors and shaving brushes for barbers. They claimed to have scissors of every variety and sewing machines of every make. Although Mr. Ambold would make a key for you, the predominant focus of the shop was general repairs with attention to sewing machines, outdoor needs, and barber materials. Waco likely took notice when H.E. Ambold died in 1905 as he was familiar to everyone in town. Today, Ambold’s is one of Waco’s oldest businesses.

Sometime between his death and the early 1920’s, Red and Willie Nix took over the Ambold business name. With the transition in owner, came a transition of a business model. While Red and Willie kept many of the same aspects, Ambold’s sold other items. In the 30’s Ambold’s began advertising lawnmowers and lawnmower sharpening. They would sell rotary lawnmowers that would eventually need sharpening sometime after the sale. Ambold’s no longer sold sewing machines as changes in manufacturing technology made them less important for the average person’s home. Red and Willie still sold and repaired guns as well as locks and keys. Along with the old and new of products being sold, Ambold’s kept its general repair status intact. They claimed “If it can be repaired we can do it.” By the 1930’s, Ambold’s had sold thousands of locks, guns, and lawnmowers.

By the 1950’s-70s Red and Willie moved Ambold’s focus again. Probably due to changes in technology and their capabilities, Ambold’s no longer focused on lawnmowers and sharpening lawnmower blades. While they would still sharpen the blades for you, Ambold’s advertised their bicycles the most. They became an official dealer of Raleigh Bicycles. Ambold’s advertised it’s good selection as they sold bikes with tire sizes from 20 inches to 28 inches. They even sold bicycles speeds (gears) from 3 to ten. Continuing the idea of repairing what they sold, Ambold’s offered to service the bicycle after they sold it. They probably serviced the bicycle correctly as they claimed they had over 40 years of bicycle service. Along with the bicycles, Ambold’s remained a general repair shop, fixing what Waco would bring them. They kept selling locks and keys as well, but the focus was still not there yet.

From the beginning, Ambold’s was active in the Waco community. H.E. Ambold was well known in the community and was said to offer fair prices. Willie was known for the same thing. in the 1960’s a young boy recounted how Willie Nix allowed him to purchase a bike with installments because the young boy did not have enough money to make the complete purchase. One newspaper from 1930 mentions that they offered bicycle tire and other bicycle accessories to the winner of a YMCA contest. Red and Willie also helped local police. They would change locks in houses and businesses once the police took over the premises. A writer for the Waco Citizen in 1975 recounts Ambold’s service in police and state raids on business that did not pay their taxes. The writer tells that Red or Willie would ride with or behind the police, and once they cleared out the defaulting owners one of them would change all the locks in the business and hand the keys to the representative in the state. Today, Ambold’s is only a locksmith. They do not offer sales in guns or bicycles. They also do far less advertising in newspapers. Before the 1980’s they did most of their advertising in the local newspapers, but today they rely on their website and word of mouth.

(Willie Nix behind the cash register at Ambold’s Repair Shop. Texas Collection Box 259 Folder 6-8)

Waco_Tribune_Herald_Fri__Dec_14__1973_-2mm78es

(Image of Willie Nix changing the locks in a defaulting business for the police. Waco Tribune Herald December 14. 1973)

Waco_Tribune_Herald_Sun__Jun_28__1936_-2cqvnaa

(Image of Ambold’s advertisement in the Waco Tribune Herald on June 28, 1936)