A-1 Up and Running

10 days ago Tom Swanson opened his doors after having them forcefully closed on 6/11 when a 5 Alarm Fire raged in the building housing his business on Wells Street this year. 2 months and a silent auction fund raiser organized by his wife later, Tom is just "trying to get the ball rolling again."

The business originally was comprised of Tom and his brother, Bud with Tom handling the keys and locks end of the business and Bud specializing in vacuum repair and maintenance, of which he has 28 years of experience. When the fire occurred, Bud thought to just retire. Now Bud will help out with any repair work that comes through the door and make sure to keep up on the warranties that were issued through the shop back when it was around the corner.

The location on South Third Street is a nice and central location, definitely helping fill out our blossoming downtown business sector. Open everyday except Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, if you were a longtime client of Tom's or just in need of his services, now is the time to drop and say "Welcome Back."

A-1 Locksmith and Safes
715 S.Third Street
425-228-2613

A-1 Locksmith - Rebuilding a business after the fire

Here just in from Jennifer Davis Hayes Desk:

You’ve asked how else you can help. I spoke to Tom Swanson of A-1 Locksmith and he’s hoping to move into the space on S 3^rd between Naan N Curry & Mroczeck Antiques which is currently leased from Nann N Curry for storage. He would build a wall to make a small area in the front retail space to serve retail key customers. Here’s a list of things that he said he needs to rebuild:

* Wood/material to rebuild shop in new location

* Computer

* Fax

* Printer

* Phone

* Stationary, Supplies

* Labor - Contractor willing to donate carpentry & electrical skills to do work to rebuild space in new location

If you or someone you know can help, please contact Tom directly at 253-740-8872. Relocation assistance donations can still be made for A-1 Locksmith at the Downtown US Bank location. He’ll need money for basics to such things as permit and reconnect fees, as well as loss of business.

A-1 after the Fire - Renton, you can help

A-1 Vacuums and Locks was hit hard last night by the 5 Alarm Fire - very hard. Owner Tom Swanson has no place to go and has a business that he needs to keep going. Renton, I know that you can help.


First off - Tom needs a place to make keys and keep himself financially afloat. The building that he rented in was old - 100 years old. He didn't have insurance - because they just don't give insurance out within the reasonable price range for a building that is so old that it doesn't even have a fire sprinkler system and got "grandfathered" in by the city because of it's "vintageness". So, if you have a little space that Tom could have right downtown to work out of so that he can have a way to keep his livelihood - please contact him and let him know (the number is right up there in the photo, folks)

Secondly - if you would like to help by donating to the good cause of helping Tom, who lost his whole business in the fire folks, you can go to any US Bank and make a donation for the account of A-1 Locksmith & Vacuum. Remember - anything will help, and a lot of little bits help to make a big "something".

Here is Tom Swanson himself - the city and it's members have been johnny-on-the-spot to help all the businesses that were effected by the fire. (This is where I insert a shout out to Jennifer Davis Hayes who gave me the info about Tom and his crisis). So have so many member of our community - we live in a great place, folks - just in case you are new to figuring that one out.

Day after the fire in Renton

This is the view that our downtown Renton peeps are privy to the day after our 5 Alarm Fire in our little burg. Firefighters still on the scene, though the fire was put out successfully last night with the help of over 100 firemen from Renton, Skyway, Kent and Tukwila plus the off duty members that were pulled into duty. They are assessing the damage - and the very little that is left of the building that once housed the Comic Den, A-1 Vacs & Locks and a handful of residents in apartments who once lived there. No one was hurt, mercifully, but the loss is great otherwise.


This is Jennifer Davis Hayes of the City of Renton checking in with the Fire Dept. and getting a handle on what she can do to help - which with Jennifer, is always a lot.



Luckily, you could still get a cup of coffee and come down and look what happened. Coffee is from Liberty Cafe and these locals are from left to right: Phyl Carroll, Ron Hughes, Sue Hughes, Bill Collins and Sarah Iles of the Renton Historical Museum. If you were a steady coffee client at the Common Ground Coffee & Cupcakes, you will be sad to know that their cafe was affected by the smoke and has some damage, so they are temporarily closed. But don't worry - they will be back.

This is Braden - and his great Grandfather, Mr. Anderson, was the owner of the now destroyed building. He is with his Grandmother Delancey, looking at the remains of his family's property and the loss of another piece of downtown Renton history.

This is the back of the building where two fire engines still remain and the firefighters are actively investigating the interior of the building.