Clinton Hill Getting a Tattoo Parlor

Tattoo shops these days are very different from the shops some of you old timers remember. Many are run not only by "real artists" but artists with college degrees of varied disciplines where their tattooing is not only a great job that pays well, but one that funds their other artistic endeavors on top of paying their rent.
Tattoo shops can be as valuable as any other successful business in a community. They are artists, they are parents whose kids go to local schools, and some genuinely take an interest in their surroundings as they are involved in real estate, local commerce, and have a genuine ineterst in the surrounding community.
Yes, I am a tattooer (frankly, I am a painter/illustrator who tattoos for a living) In 2002 my shop was the first tattoo "studio" ("parlour" is a term that is kind of old, and that doesnt always apply since many studios double as galleries ) in a well to do neighborhood, since then we have moved twice from and even wealthier and wealthier neighborhood (the first tattoo shop in each hood). We were welcomed by most , there are always people who submit their feelings to stereotypes, that will never change. We are locally owned and operated, not to mention have continually curated openings at our studio as well as at local bars and galleries adding to the cultural flavor of the neighborhood. As well as donating resources we raise funds for local charities and public school art programs, we teach art at local public schools and organizations.
Many people thought we would "be gone in a year" (this was 8 years ago), especially in these neighborhoods, but we have not only done well, we are continually growing. Our rent compares to what restaurants pay on our block, and we are not struggling as some of our neighbors are. Tattoo shops, given that they are inhabited by talented artists, are fully recession proof. People from all walks of life of all ages and income levels get tattooed. Its a trade that will always be patronized by the people.
Brooklyn needs more good tattoo shops, I wish these guys well.

Posted by: lifer at April 2, 2009 12:41 PM

Pirates and hookers still get tattooed, I was just trying to dispel the rumor that tattoo shops bring a bad element to a neighborhood the way they might have in the olden, uh, i mean in the past. I am actually pretty over the hill myself

Posted by: lifer at April 2, 2009 3:45 PM

I knew people that used to work there, the 2 guys that are there now are legit. the work on their website is solid. As in the ROTD reviews, I cant speak for ambience or value.

As for the property values, the renovations these new guys will commit to, to create a solid hospital sterile enviroment , as well as the art gallery factor, will certainly increase the value of the building.

Posted by: lifer at April 2, 2009 4:29 PM

Its hard to gauge the value of something when you're not into it in the first place. Some people spend thousands on clothes, shoes, cars, some people find value in waiting 3 hours for pizza, things I find zero value in. Its not easy to learn how to tattoo well, there's no room for mistakes, its an extremely unforgivable artform that takes years to perfect . It, in some cases is considered a luxury like any other, to some a necessity. People are told the cost long before the process starts, no one goes into it feeling gyped. That said, when someone's getting tattooed, they aren't throwing down thousands at a time. If someone wants their whole back done 40 - 60 hours worth of work in the course of a year or two, the payments are spaced out, and the results bring great happiness and last forever (unlike clothes or cars), and in alot of cases the process of going through the planning, pain and whatnot is therapeutic (yes us tattooed lot are a little "off", i fully admit). diffr'nt strokes for different folks.

and yes my neck is tattooed

Posted by: lifer at April 2, 2009 6:00 PM