Do you know how many times I have walked by this locksmith on 7th Avenue and it was always closed? The intricate collage of keys always caught my eye.
Wednesday morning, Mary and I were returning from the Post Office and the locksmith’s door was open.
Mr. Mortillaro was speaking with a customer. Mary walked on ahead but I signaled to her to wait. After the customer left, I entered and although I’d photographed the facade on other occasions, I asked the proprietor if I might photograph him. Mr. Mortillaro was totally welcoming and agreeable and here is the portrait I captured. He told me he has been a locksmith since age 14!
The links to his website and a trailer of a video are found at the end of the post.
Although he says he is not religious, he has actually made St. Peter (a gift) the Key to Heaven
Just like the New York Public Library- Patience and Fortitude guard the entrance.
You can see a trailer to Mr. Mortillaro’s video Do Not Duplicate
and visit his website to see his Metal Art