Tattoo parlor for DTSB receives favorable recommendation

The question at hand for downtown South Bend is whether or not a tattoo parlor should open up among the other small businesses. 

Ingrid Mathias with 1st Source Bank feels that while she would like to see small businesses succeed downtown, however, she feels that the type of businesses need to be of like kind. 

“While we support the growth of small business, we also recommend that it be done with common sense,” she continued, “Surrounding this proposed business, as many of you know, is flanked by two major bank headquarters which we all know and we may never change is very traditional and very conservative in our culture,” said Mathias. “Zoning approved for a central business district should allow businesses that complement each other and serve the major surrounding businesses that are already down here.” 

The proposal is to add tattooing and piercing services at a functioning art gallery, known as the Bicycle Gallery at 127 W. Washington. The location is two doors down from the Chase Tower, and across the street from the corporate headquarters of Teachers Credit Union. 

Martin reported his business would offer tattoos Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., meaning the business would be closed on Sunday, and would be closed when the downtown bar crowds peaked. 

South Bend Common Councilman Henry Davis, Jr. said, “But I look at the elements that are before us right now, we have a high vacancy rate in the downtown area. The Chase Tower is in limbo, the College Football Hall of Fame is leaving, it’s gone, and we have so many other issues with small business downtown, so we have to make sure we create a happy atmosphere, a business friendly atmosphere and not be scared to take chances.” 

The comments came forward as the process of considering a zoning change needed to clear a path for the proposed parlor began today before the Area Board of Zoning Appeals. 

Ingrid Mathias pushed for board members to “do what is right for the central business district of South Bend and not jeopardize the businesses that are already here, and their perception of downtown or drive out existing businesses that may be considering locating in downtown South Bend.” 

The conclusion? The board voted unanimously, 7-0 to send the proposal on to the South Bend Common Council with a favorable recommendation. The end result will most likely be decided in January, when the council has a meeting on the fate of the project. 

“A lot of artists fall into tattooing because it’s a readily available income while they still practice art on the side, and since you're getting artist tattooing instead of guys just picking up tattoo machines, the quality is higher because they are artists,” said Bicycle Gallery owner David Martin. 

According to WNDU.com, the Board of Zoning Appeals recently considered a proposed tattoo parlor at 1107 Mishawaka Avenue, but unanimously voted to give that project an unfavorable recommendation. 

Although both proposals hoped for a combination art gallery/ tattoo parlors, the Washington Street project drew encouraging comments from a handful of area residents, while the Mishawaka Avenue project only drew comments from opponents.

Source: http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Tattoo-parlor-for-DTSB-receives-favorable-recommendation-182274921.html