Tattoo parlors dismiss dispute
About seven months ago, the owner of a tattoo parlor in Canyon Country tried to stop the city from permitting a new competitor from opening just across the street.
He was unsuccessful. Today, the battle of the parlors is lost in the past, and business “has been really good” for both, the owners of each location said.
“There's no tension between both businesses,” said Adam Guyot, the owner of Eternal Art Tattoo, which was relocated from its original location on Sierra Highway and Soledad Canyon Road to its current spot on 18760 Flying Tiger Drive.
That wasn't the case in early March, when he sought support from other business owners to help stop the approval of a conditional use permit to allow Revenant Body Art Studio to operate so close from Eternal Art Tattoo.
The permit was approved, however, by the Santa Clarita Planning Commission on March 6, which gave the green light for the 1,200-square-foot shop at 27125 Sierra Highway, just 250 feet across from Eternal Art Tattoo.
The issue, Guyot said Tuesday, was not exactly with Revenant Body Art, instead, “it's more of a principle thing.”
“The city didn't even want to hear us,” he said. “I just didn't want (Sierra Highway) to turn into Lancaster Boulevard. If they add a second (tattoo parlor) what’s going to stop them from opening three or four more?”
A permit application is often approved so long as the proposed use of the business is consistent with a series of aspects, such as the zoning ordinance and the promotion of “economic opportunity for all segments of the community, including small businesses and new businesses,” according to the Planning Commission’s March agenda item.
That's what Kristin Sterling said her business Revenant Body Art Studio brings to the area.
“We welcome competition because now it's two places for people to check out,” she said. “Everyone should have a choice in how and where to put art or piercings on their bodies, and I don't think it’s bad to seek multiple artists.”
Even if that means sending clients to Eternal Arts Tattoo across the street as an alternative artist option, Sterling said.
The Revenant Body Art owner and artist said a permit application was submitted before Eternal Art relocating, but was placed on hold due to unpermitted construction violations with the Sierra Crest shopping center. After those issues were corrected, the application process continued.
“There’s only so many spots in Santa Clarita that a parlor can open,” said Sterling. “The city said Eternal Art wanted to move forward, meaning they knew we were there and still wanted to open for business.
"There are no hard feelings,” she added. “To my knowledge, there's no animosity.”
Guyot said: “It is what it is. The shop is not affecting us from our business, and I don't wish them ill will.”