Tattoo studio proposed for Barnum Avenue
STRATFORD — Despite strict regulations limiting tattoo studios, Barnum Avenue may soon be home to a new place to get inked.
Stratfour Ventures LLC is seeking the Zoning Commission’s approval to open the studio in a 1,000square-foot storefront at 1345 Barnum Ave., according to an application submitted to the town.
If approved, the studio would be the second tattoo parlor to win support from town officials since they greenlit plans last year to relocate Forest to Shore Gallery and Tattoo Studio to the old Little Red School of Art and Music property.
“We feel this location is an appropriate location,” Christopher Russo, Stratfour’s attorney, told the Zoning Board of Appeals in June. “It’s buffered, we believe, from the other tattoo establishment, which is on Main Street.”
Russo appeared before the appeals board to ask the body to waive what he called “outdated regulations” that prevent tattoo studios from operating within 1,000 feet of homes, churches, parks, playgrounds, libraries and schools.
He argued the rules effectively ban new tattoo establishments because they restrict the stores to a handful of locations where they would not be economically viable.
“I think tattoos are viewed differently than they were in 2003,”
Russo said, referring to a nearly two-decade old town regulation that treats tattoo parlors like other adult establishments. “It has become much more common and much more accepted in society.”
Board Chairperson Gavin Forrester III, who was a member of the commission when it adopted the tattoo-related regulations, agreed with Russo. He said he was surprised the rules were still on the books.
“I think the Zoning Commission needs to review this,” Forrester said.
The five-member appeals board unanimously approved the waiver request during its meeting on June 7. The proposal is now before the Zoning Commission, which is scheduled to review the application at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
In the earlier meeting, Russo said the studio will be managed by Orlando Rivera, the longtime operator of Latin Style, a popular barbershop and salon located in a storefront adjacent to the proposed tattoo parlor.
Russo said Stratfour Ventures decided to open a tattoo studio in part due to strong interest from Latin Style’s loyal customer base, which he said included several members of the Stratford Police Department.
The single-story commercial building, which is also home to a Subway, a CBD shop and a pair of cell phone stores, is owned by Stratfour Ventures. The company purchased the building for $1.6 million in 2013, according to property records.
Russo said Rivera has already identified two tattoo artists to work at the store. He said the artists have 20 and 25 years of tattoo experience, respectively.
Patrons will make appointments with artists before visiting for a consultation or to get tattooed. Russo said the studio will operate from Tuesday through Saturday, and will close on Sunday and Monday.
“The nice thing about a tattoo parlor is it’s really controlled as far as the amount of people who are there,” Russo said. “The sessions tend to be long so there is not a lot of coming and going, especially if someone is having a more involved tattoo.”