Tattoo Shop Denials: The Landlord’s Game of "No"

Well, here we are again. Another beautiful building, another landlord ready to slam the door in my face. You’d think by now I’d be numb to it, but the sting of "no" still hits you right in the gut. For those of you who haven't been on this magical merry-go-round, let me break it down: you get a lead on a killer commercial spot, you fall in love with the high ceilings and the natural light, and you get ready to sign on the dotted line. Then, you say the magic words: "It's for a tattoo studio."

And just like that, the landlord’s smile melts faster than an ice cube in a Kansas City summer. You'd think I told them I was planning on building a meth lab in the back and running a fight club out of the basement. The look on their face is pure, unadulterated horror. Suddenly, they're spouting some nonsense about "the building's image" or "the kind of clientele" they're looking for. As if my clients aren't the same damn doctors, lawyers, and teachers who live in their neighborhoods.

The irony is so thick you could use it for ink. It's 2025, people. Tattoos are so mainstream they're on your grandma's bingo-winning arm. We're a legitimate business, licensed and insured, with a strict code of ethics and a dedication to art. We're not some back-alley operation run by a dude named "Stitches." We're professionals, ready to sign a long-term lease and pay our rent on time. I even offer to pay a higher security deposit than the next guy. But it doesn't matter. They see "tattoo" and they see dollar signs running away, not toward them.

It's been a frustrating ride, to put it mildly. This isn't just a bump in the road; it's a brick wall thrown up by outdated prejudices and ignorant assumptions. It’s hard not to get discouraged, especially when you see less-than-stellar businesses getting handed the keys to prime locations.

To all my loyal clients and incredible apprentices: I know you’re all eager to get back to creating and collecting art. Thank you for your patience. There are plenty of "right now" options available, but that's not what we're aiming for. We're not looking for a temporary fix; we're looking for our forever home. We’re in this for the long haul, for longevity, for a studio we can build and call our own for the next 10 years. Trust me, it's worth the wait.

🤘Nick