After working for the business for six years Noah Steiner has become the owner of Dave Gibson Locksmith and Gunshop. Photo / Caitlan Johnston
After working for the business for six years Noah Steiner has become the owner of Dave Gibson Locksmith and Gunshop. Photo / Caitlan Johnston
Working at the local locksmiths started as just a part-time job for 22-year-old Noah Steiner while he was in high school - now he owns the business.
Noah has been working for Dave Gibson Locksmith and Gunshop for the past six years and has recently taken ownership over from Dave.
"I sort of just fell into working for him while I was in school and then when I left school he said to just keep working for him," says Noah.
Noah already has a few ideas to expand and change the business, however renaming the shop will not be one of them and it will remain as Dave Gibson Locksmith and Gunshop.
In about two months Noah has an engraving machine showing up, a service the business is yet to offer.
After about a year he would also like to get someone else on board to help him out on the road.
"If we can get the work then I would like to get another van and get somebody else out on the road, that's my job most of the time – I'm doing a lot of on-site work," says Noah.
Most of the time Noah is out on the road working on-site from his van. Photo / Caitlan Johnston
And eventually he would like to be able to offer locksmith services for vehicles.
With time and as gun laws get tighter, Noah says their focus will turn more to the locksmith and engraving side of the business rather than guns and hunting.
"We noticed a big drop in gun sales after Labour's recent law change and they are talking about more changes that will make selling guns more difficult," says Noah.
"We won't be giving it up any time in the near future but as restrictions get harsher our customer base gets smaller."
Noah says the business for now is just as usual.
"I'm really proud to have bought the business," says Noah.
Dave is staying on and will be working in the shop part-time during the week and Noah's dad, Josh Steiner, has also offered to help out.
Before becoming Dave Gibson Locksmith and Gunshop, the business was called Vern Wilson Locksmith and Gunshop.
Noah believes Vern started the gunshop from his home about 50 years ago and that Vern's brother Alistair was the locksmith.
Dave bought the business in 2008 but didn't rename it until 2017. When he first bought it the shop was running from what is now the bottom half of The Redoubt.
The shop then moved to 363 Alexandra St not long after he took over ownership and it operated there up until last year when it was moved a few doors down to 335 Alexandra St.
