Crystal Shreve and Julian McClain would like to see the Thoroughbred Tattoo Parlor become a reality for Aiken.
The two will go before Aiken City Council members on Monday, asking that zoning be designated in the City for the tattoo parlor. They also have plans to go before Aiken County Council to request the zoning.
"Right now, there is no property in the City where a tattoo parlor can be located; the same (is true) for the County," said City Manager Roger LeDuc.
According to LeDuc, if Council agrees to consider the designation, it would be sent to the City Planning Commission to determine an area to be zoned for the businesses. Once an area is chosen, the ordinance would be sent back to Aiken City Council members for final approval.
Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian said that because the County's zoning ordinance does not allow tattoo parlors, County Council members would have to vote to change the ordinance.
Three years ago, City Council denied an ordinance that would have allowed tattoo parlors to be permitted in the City's general business zone. The proposal would have allowed only the shops on major roadways with traffic volumes of more than 25,000 vehicles per day and restricted them from being located within 1,000 feet of a church, school or playground.
Aiken County's first tattoo parlor, Carolina Ink Tattooing, opened earlier this year in Windsor.
"We're trying to get them to see this as a modern issue so that it doesn't carry the issues of the past," Shreve said of their request. "We want to add to the artistic element that is already in the City."
She and McClain recently moved to Aiken from Tampa, Fla. They have owned several businesses in the past, including the franchise The T-Shirt Diner.
Shreve and McClain don't plan to do the tattoos. If the zoning is created, they will hire artists to work in the shop.
In a business proposal submitted along with the petition, Shreve and McClain said the tattoo parlor will fulfill a need of the community for a local, in-house tattoo establishment so that residents do not have to travel for the service. Shreve said Aiken is losing a large amount of the revenue from the tattoo industry to Augusta.
"It's a major source of income that we're losing daily," she said.
They said tattooing is no longer a public health and safety concern because of legal requirements for tattoo artists. Shreve and McClain also aim to eliminate the negative stereotypes or morality concerns associated with tattoo shops.
"Tattoos are no longer the anti-establishment marks of society's rebels but have found a place on the respective bodies of all walks of society, of all age demographics and socioeconomic status, thus making the industry one of high economic yield and mass appeal," read the proposal.
Aiken City Council members will meet Monday on the second floor of the Aiken Municipal Building, 214 Park Ave. S.W., at 7 p.m.
Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.
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Posted by: Jim Kelly (Yes, I have tattoos) On: 11/7/2009
Comment Title:
It's amazing that something so benign as a tatoo can cause such an uproar. You would think, from the sound of it (not within 1000' of a church) that once someone is tatoo'd they become social menaces and commit random acts of crimes towards others. To it's detractors, it's just ink on my skin! I'm not disfigured, maligned, weird, crazy, or morally devoid. Hopefully the zoning commission will give this some serious thought and do the right thing and pass this ordinance.
Posted by: Angie On: 11/7/2009
Comment Title: Andrew
wow....childish....that's all I am going to say
Posted by: Angie On: 11/7/2009
Comment Title:
I am a preacher and I say let them stay. I would think there are plenty of empty spaces around town that could use the tennant. It's not my place to judge or critisize.
Posted by: perplexed On: 11/7/2009
Comment Title: So what?
To all the religious nut cases out there who are thumping their Bible and showing the verse where it says it's wrong to get a tattoo. You need to read in the same verse now, where it also says it's wrong for a man to shave. I guess the religious tattoo haters interpret how they want to. So I guess if I'm going to hell for having a tattoo, you male church goers are going to be right there with me because you shave before your church service every Sunday. It's in your Bible look it up.
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Thousands of people infected with the life-threatening hepatitis C virus may have caught it during routine dental treatment. Health campaigners warned that current practices in dental surgery may not be rigorous enough to remove the risk of transmission between patients. Although dentists sterilize their tool-heads, there is a risk of infection from the actual tools themselves, from the machinery that drives the tools. Blood could gather behind the drive mechanisms of tools, which could lead to transmission especially if the dental practice session is very busy. SHOULD WE BAN DENTISTRY ALSO?
Posted by: Andrew On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: i hate quilts
i think that a quilt show should be banned in the city of aiken. if people want to see quilts they should have to go to augusta. quilts are not an artistic expression, it's a hobby. if tattoos are not allowed in aiken-why should something as ugly as quilts be on display? i guess art is in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by: Bruce On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Now ask yourself is this the first time the religious right has tried to tell someone what they can and can't do to their body?
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
What is the difference between parlor in augusta or aiken. It's a free country!! I do not like tattoo's but let people do what they want! Personal Conviction People!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Tattoo Parlor
We need a tattoo parlor like we need a hole in our head! Since tattoos have become popular nationally, there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of hepatitis infections. Drive to GA or where ever, not in our town.
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Just because you don't like tattoos, does not make it wrong. Let them have their business in Aiken.
Posted by: Cochease On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: It's legal so get on with it abd get over it!
Tattoos are legal in SC and the City of Aiken knows this. They have no legal basis to not allow this legal (and highly regulated by SC DHEC) business to operate in one or more different zoning categories found in our Zoning Ordinance. What this boils down to is that Lessie and Beverly object to the zones being on the Northside and previously the rest objected to the Southside. One group wants them on property zoned in categories found along Whiskey Road while some want to include this business in the Industrial Zoning areas which is conveniently located on the Northside. So, the ordinance was voted down even though the proposals are for putting them in one side of town over another - just one zoning category that is consistent with that type of land use and other similar businesses. As it turns out, some categories of zoning are more common in one are vs. another but the ignorant elected officials don't understand this and instead make it out as an issue of who is getting over on whom. Fact is, the city has to allow this legal business to open up somewhere or else they are putting the taxpayers at risk. Can you say "Restraint of Trade?" FOr those that don't like it, get over it, too bad, it's legal in this state to operate this type of business. Not only do you have no right to interfere in their business, there is nothing you can do about it unless you think the SC General Assembly is going to go back and repeal the law that legalized tattoo parlors several years ago. IF so, you are smoking something really good and I'd like to know where you got it. Maybe they will offer to have metal doors if you insist.
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: NOT NEEDED IN AIKEN
Personally, I think you ought to have to drive to GA, NC, or TN to get tatooed or pierced. It will give you a chance to rethink permanently disfiguring yourself as a means of "artistic expression". As for your dollars spent in GA I'll bet you already shop and eat in establishments on the other side of the river. Your dollars spent in Augusta haven't really helped them with their $8.6M budget shortfall have they?
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: I have 4 tattoos
There is nothing wrong with tattoos. If you dont like them or dont like people that do them then go somewhere else. GA is makin more money than Sc cause everybody is goin to GA to get tattoos and while there either go shoppin or out to eat. They should be allowed to open a tattoo shop up in Aiken. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT DONT LOOK AND THATS THAT
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Baron
You are so right. What's worse is you can't go 1000 feet without finding another church in some areas in Aiken.
Posted by: Lieutenant Commander Thomas Dodge On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Cool! Welcome to Aiken!
I want to get another "Welcome aboard!" tattooed on another body part! Let 'em stay!
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: Personal choice
I have several and love them. I also get mine in GA... it's a personal choice. Mine are like others, if i want you to see them you will, if not they can be easily hidden. I also work in public. If you don't like them DON'T GET ONE, but you shouldn't tell others what to put on their bodies!
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title: i have lots of ink......and youd never know
i have 11 tatts and 3 peircings.... i am a male middle-aged. except one you would never know it either unless i showed you! with that being said i also work in a very public service and probably have dealt with you and your kids on a regular basis...... i have spent a lot of money for what i personally like and it has been in georgia, while there i bought gas, my wife and i got something to eat, if i had my kids along they went shopping waiting for me,and you all know kids are always hungry too when they go somewhere.... so its a bigger benifit than just a tatt shop. it being art is subjective arguement, what i consider art will offend most, by the same token i hate quilts and other shows that are considered "art" here. you all know what they say what opinions are like?! it should be a strickly business proposition, we do need all the help we can get in these times. and make them give away horse tatts for free for the first 3 months then im sure it will go over well....... as far as location i think the ugly building with wood doors would be great! let the low life tatt people use it before you demolish the building because of their decision in doors ( thats sarcasim people!)
Posted by: On: 11/6/2009
Comment Title:
Aiken doesnt realize how much money they are sending to Georgia by not letting these people do this! Just let them do it, it's a matter of choice people. Either you like them or you dont.
Posted by: The Baron On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title:
I will be shocked if the religious windbags in Aiken will never allow a tattoo parlor in the city. I mean look at the proposal that got voted down 3 years ago...."restrict them from being located within 1,000 feet of a church..." Why in the hell does a church need to be "protected" from a tattoo parlor? What weak-minded, fairy tale living, neanderthals we have running Aiken.
Posted by: Sonia kat Montini On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title: let them make a living
if you choose not to get a tat or ink as we call it then don't but why stop anyone else.It is a business that needs to be here alot of money is spent in Ga , Tn , and Nc why not keep it here . in Aiken? I for on say let them open.
Posted by: On: 11/5/2009
Comment Title: Please go away
Tatoo artist...you're using the term "artist" incorrectly. There is nothing artful about it. It's simply body graffitti. It's ugly. Please go somewhere else.
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