Business owner Charles Munich is a familiar face around the city of Hayward. As a Ward 4 city councilor and fireman, Munich has been involved with the community for many years.
After the carpentry industry slowed here in northwest Wisconsin, Munich looked to strike out on a fresh path, and with a long-time interest in locksmithing, the move was only natural.
Munich has been a bonded and certified locksmith since 2004, taking Charlie's Locksmith Service full-time in 2008.
He is also a 12-year veteran of the National Guard and spent part of that time serving in Iraq as a maintenance supervisor.
“I’ve actually been a certified and bonded locksmith since 2004. Even through high school I wanted to go to locksmith school, but I ended up with a degree in biology,” Munich laughed. “But then I worked for the military for nine years.”
“The Guard is what brought me to Hayward full time,” he said. “I spent 13 months deployed to Iraq as a maintenance supervisor and once I came back, I reorganized my priorities and decided to hang up my hat after 12 years and move on.”
Some of Munich’s specialties are keyless entry, keyless remotes and transponder keys, which hold embedded computer chips. This is especially important as new vehicles roll off the line and transponder keys become standard, he added.
“I can program your transponder chip keys just like the car dealers can – I can cut and program them at a much better rate as well,” Munich stated. A trip to the dealership for replacement keys can sometimes carry a steep price, Munich makes it a point to offer this service more reasonably, and on the spot.
“I have a touch-screen computer that can program them – a miniature locksmith laptop,” he described. “I even bring my own power to the site so I can run my machines and everything.”
Even though some of the trade tools such as the “slim jim” still exist more, late model vehicles include integrated ignition and entry computer systems where Munich has also stayed current.
“Every make and model has a unique way of opening,” he explained. “I can do key fabrication, key replacement, keys by code – I carry everything in my vehicle.”
Some insurance carriers will also reimburse customers for lockout service.
“Some insurance companies will provide a lock-out service, and of course the motor clubs. Even some cell phone companies offer curbside assistance programs,” he said. Munich is currently contracted with 11 different motor clubs.
On scene, he can also cut custom keys for ATVs, snowmobiles, and basically any other machine where a key is required.
“Even high security keys – I’m factory-certified with many security companies,” Munich added.
Business has been steady for Charlie’s Locksmith Service as well.
“Business has been going quite well, of course it’s picking up now,” he said. “I just started to do safe work too – opening safes without a combination.”
Munich smiles as he realizes the implications of his knowledge, something reminiscent of sitting around the table as one of Ocean’s Eleven. But Munich exudes a very serious trustworthy quality, suggesting he operates his new venture with a true integrity for the trade.
He also specializes in “keyed-alike” entries, or having one key open many different locks.
“Even businesses, they have so many different keys that open many different locks. And I can either key it alike or master key it,” he said.
Munich “mastered keyed” the Hayward Sports Center, which is a “grand master system.”
“For example, one key will open the front door, and the coaches’ keys unlock the front door and dressing rooms, and the grand master will open every door,” he described.
This works especially well for caretakers and property rental managers.
Charlie’s Locksmith Service is also on the calling list for the sheriff’s department and city police.
“A lot of people still don’t realize that the police no longer open vehicles. Just because of the cost and liability of having officers do that,” Munich explained. “A lot of people call the sheriff’s department (non-emergency) line if they need lockout assistance.”
Munich serves all of Sawyer, Ashland, Douglas, Washburn, and Bayfield counties, traveling throughout northwest Wisconsin as needed.
“If people need my services, I will travel,” he stated.
Munich can be reached at (715) 634-LOCK (634-5625).