David Sabin
“Run by three generations of the same family over more than 90 years in Northampton, Sabin Star Lock Security [closed in 2010]…. [owner David Sabin’s] grandfather, Glenn C. Sabin, started the business in Amherst 1913 with a focus on electrical work. After fighting in the first World War, Sabin in 1920 relocated the business to the family homestead at 44 Conz St., now an office of Murphys Realtors. After the flood of 1936 he moved the shop again to another spot on Crafts Avenue. It settled into its current spot at 16 Crafts Ave. in 1972. David Sabin said his grandfather kept working until a week before he died at age 95. His father, Glenn H. Sabin, retired in 1981 and died four years ago. His three brothers have also served as owners and employees. Lock and key work became the focus, though a portion of the business remained devoted to lamp repair…. David Sabin started working for the family business in 1966” (Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 13, 2010).
“I’m going to miss being downtown after all these years. We never had a lease. We’ve been here for so long it was taken for granted that we’re here. They gave me the legally minimum amount of time to clear out. It’s really heartbreaking to lose this after all these years⎯I would rather go out on my own terms. I really don’t have much control over it. There are not many of us left in this area. When I was a kid there were so many places like this in town. Not any more.” – David Sabin
Photographs of David Sabin, owner of Sabin Star-Lock Security, July 16, 2010. Photographed by Stan Sherer. Top left image: David Sabin at work. Historic Northampton (ID no. 2011.8.16). Top right image: David Sabin at counter, interior of store. Historic Northampton (ID no. 2011.8.15). Bottom image: Exterior of storefront with David Sabin. Historic Northampton (ID no. 2011.8.13).