Ave's Lock and Key

06/17/2026

I am reluctant and disappointed to announce that Ave's Lock and Key unfortunately will not be hosting a fireworks show for the 2026 year.

This is something that I have been fighting with myself over for the last month or so, and have tried to bring myself to just suck it up and do it, but honestly, I don't have it in me to put on the show this year.

I apologize for the late notice, and I hope that there's still time for our friends, family, neighbors, and clients to make other arrangements to have an awesome July 4th to celebrate this country's 250th birthday!

Anyway, for those that are still reading and are interested, this year has been a series of compounding issues that have kinda beat me up and kept our bank accounts smaller than I'd rather see them. Between the slimming profits from inflation and the rising costs of materials/subscriptions and us not wanting to raise our prices, the increased cost of fuel the last few months, having a van need over $10K worth of work to replace a transmission, and the $13K in lost inventory and $3K in glass from the break-in, I'm finding it hard to go out and buy $20K worth of fireworks this year and feel good about it.

All the same, it has been a pleasure putting on the last 5 shows, and this has been an awesome experience to share with our neighbors. I plan to regroup and do a better job at finding the motivation and the resources to come back strong for 2027.

I sincerely appreciate your understanding in this matter, I love you guys and I apologize for the disappointing news.

05/15/2026

The office will be closed today due to this.

I honestly don't have it in me to deal with this and the office at the same time. -Ave

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B4uqF5i8S/

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

*UPDATE* The suspect has been picked up, he confessed to taking them, and the batteries recovered.

Well, it seems that my complacency with failing to lock everything up at the shop has gotten me once again, and I would appreciate any assistance in identifying the person in this footage. It appears he lives right behind us in Stonebrook Village, or at least frequents through there.

On Sunday, March 1st at around 2:15 AM, the perpetrator in question came onto our property and stole two brand new batteries sitting out front that were to go into my work van. He then looped around the building, coming back for a second time to grab one of the bad batteries out front as well. He then walked off continuing in the westbound direction of travel, then turning right into Stonebrook Village via Rumbling Rock Road until we lost sight of him on the cameras.

The new batteries stolen were two H6 Everstart Maxx batteries, serial numbers EP2501109819 and EP2501350047. The used one is a 65 frame Everstart Maxx with a battery manufacture date of 03/2023 on it. (I have the serial as well, I just have to look it up in the vehicle folder it came from)

A police report has been filed with the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department, and any tips regarding the theft of these items can be directed to us or to Deputy Little at (304) 267-7000

$100 cash reward offered for the return of the batteries.

12/18/2025

Final update: All attempts to reach the owner have failed, and I have no clue what to do next, as a full week has passed at this point. I would love nothing more than to get ahold of the owner and help them get it moved on our lot or relocated to a shop or their house, but that has been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, it is time to start looking into having it moved by a professional. 🫤

Update: I believe we may have the contact info for the owner, as we were passed along a name and address, and we used that to search for public records on phone numbers. We will try to contact the owner in the morning to see if we can get them to come by with the key so we can at least push it to a better location if nothing else. 🤷‍♂️

Well, I could use your help again, as the hive-mind that is social media is a powerful tool when used for good.

I am trying to get in contact with the owner of this Lexus car that was left in our parking lot Saturday morning.

They came in on Saturday and said that they would need to leave it here for a few hours to go home and get a trailer. Well, here we are, starting into the 6th day that it has been here in our lot, and we are hoping to reach out to the owner to help get it moved.

We called the sheriff's department to make sure everything was good, and they confirmed that the car is not stolen or otherwise noteworthy, and that the registered owner is off of Delmar Orchard Road, but their only solution was to have it towed away, and we don't feel that is the right way to handle this.

If the owner can reach out to us, we would be happy to assist in getting it moved to a better spot in the lot if they need more time to come get it, or we can help them get a referral for a great tow company if needed.

Thanks for your help,
-Averil

12/08/2025

A big "Thank you" to all whom have donated to the Children's Home Society of West Virginia's toy-drive!
The box is filling up, but has plenty of room for more! 🎁 Let's make this Christmas magical!! 🎅🎄
New, unused gifts for ages 0-18 are greatly appreciated to benefit children of Berkeley County!
Monday - Saturday 8:30am til 5:30pm
4502 Hedgesville Road Hedgesville, WV 25427

12/01/2025

🎅🏼Our Toy-Drive collection is up and ready! 🎁🎄
All donations go directly to the Children's Home Society of WV's (Martinsburg) to benefit children of Berkeley County. Children are from ages infant - 18 years.
Any new, unused, unwrapped gifts are welcome!

Mon - Sat 8:30am til 5:30 pm
4502 Hedgesville Road Hedgesville, WV 25427

11/25/2025

Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you just gotta 'smith it out!

A quick vibe check doesn't hurt either!

Working late at Ave's Lock and Key

11/19/2025

The temperatures outside are dropping and it's starting to feel like Christmas is coming! 🌲🎅

Sadly, there are many right here in our community who do not get to celebrate with the luxuries we do.

Once again, Ave's Lock and Key and Berkeley Armory are partnering with both the Martinsburg Rescue Mission and the WV Children's Home Society to help support the Berkeley County residents

We are accepting donations (cash, check, or card) to fund a Christmas dinner for our homeless at the rescue mission.

Additionally, we participate in the Little Red Stocking program with Children's Home Society of West Virginia - Martinsburg Site to benefit our local children. We will also be a toy collection site for children ages 0-18!

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THOSE RIGHT HERE IN BERKELEY COUNTY.

Let us spread the love and goodwill to all! Happy Holidays!
4502 Hedgesville Road, Hedgesville WV 25427
M-Sa 8:30-5:30