Could you all help me out with something?

btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Hi Everyone!
My husband and I are currently in the process of opening our own tattoo studio here on Long Island. But we've come across a big hurdle: our local village does not allow tattoo shops. We really feel that this code, which is from 1972 is antiquated and it's time for the village to update their codes. Currently, tattoo shops fall under the same category as night clubs, strip clubs, cabarets, and peep shows. The kicker: with special permit I can run a night club or cabaret in the village, but NOT a tattoo shop. The village boasts about being a young, artistic community that fully supports the arts, yet they are discriminating against one of the largest and fastest growing art forms among 20-40 year old people, which is the exact age crowd they are trying to lure in. In the past few years they've allowed numerous bars and pubs to open, and even a night club, but still refuse to update the codes for tattoo shops. We really want to be in our home town, a community that claims that they support artists. We want to run an upscale, high class shop. We are professionals. We also want to offer free art classes for the children in the community, and participate in community events (face paintings at local festivals in the village, etc). We can't do any of this without a business permit.
Please help us convince the Patchogue Village Board of Trustees to change their codes.
We have started a Facebook page for now:
https://www.facebook.com/allowtattoostudioinpatchoguevillage
I'd really appreciate it if you'd all take the time to like, post and share the page. Eventually we will be posting a link on the page for a formal online petition that you can sign. Currently our lawyer is still drawing that up for us.
Thanks!
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Please sign the change.org petition here as well:
https://www.change.org/petitions/the-incorporated-village-of-patchogue-change-current-code-allow-tattoo-body-art-studios-to-operate-in-village?share_id=YRtlAnHvRE&utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
If the ordinance is as you describe, I think it would be worthwhile to get the matter on the agenda of your city counsel. I believe its a violation of First Am., tattoos being an art form of expression. I'm sure they would not want to be hit with a First Am. violation from the ALCU.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
I am not sure you could make a case that not allowing a tattoo shop is a first amendment violation. Stupid in this day and age, yes. Now if you told people they couldn't have tats.......
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Livonia, MI will still not allow Hooters to open up in their city. Or have they? They wouldn't when I left.
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
That argument worked for the porn industry.
That was ruled upon a complete nation wide ban. This why the magazines were placed behind the counter wrapped in in non viewable wrapping and sold only to adults.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Signed. I had no idea they didnt allow tattoo shops in "the chogue"
Which one of you is the tattoo artist, or are you looking to open a shop and hire artists? You'll have to post back if you do get it opened. I'll stop by and introduce myself if you do. I grew up in Oakdale, lived in Shirley for the last 8 years and just bought another house in Ronkonkoma.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonZim http:///t/396252/could-you-all-help-me-out-with-something#post_3530068
Signed. I had no idea they didnt allow tattoo shops in "the chogue"
Which one of you is the tattoo artist, or are you looking to open a shop and hire artists? You'll have to post back if you do get it opened. I'll stop by and introduce myself if you do. I grew up in Oakdale, lived in Shirley for the last 8 years and just bought another house in Ronkonkoma.
My husband is the tattoo artist. I know to pierce, but don't really want to unless the shop gets really busy and all the other artists are helping clients.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/396252/could-you-all-help-me-out-with-something#post_3529984
If the ordinance is as you describe, I think it would be worthwhile to get the matter on the agenda of your city counsel. I believe its a violation of First Am., tattoos being an art form of expression. I'm sure they would not want to be hit with a First Am. violation from the ALCU.
Local villages can pass these types of bans. Unfortunately, back in the 1970's it was voted by the village residents and board of trustees and was passed. During that time many local tattoo shops, were hang outs of the "biker crowd" which the village wanted to keep out so they passed the law.
We have a lawyer looking into the logistics of whether this truly can be classified as unconstitutional and it currently doesn't look like it is. However, if this turns into a down right fight, we are prepared to fight them on discrimination. And that, the lawyer thinks we might have a chance with.
We are getting a lot of local support, but it is suggested to us that we get support from EVERYONE to show that tattoos are not an underground thing anymore.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
BTW, I know change.org is not for everyone and neither is FB. If you guys want to support but don't want to have to sign up for anything, you can send me a personal message with your name and I can print it out and add it to the list. You can also send it to our email: allowtattoostudioinpatchogue@gmail.com
A lot of you have already signed. I can't tell you all how thankful I am!
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
Just signed. Good luck! I personally don't like tats, except for the fact that one of my clients is a dermatology practice that makes a nice living removing tattoos. However, to each his/her own, and in this day and age I can't see why this type of business should be prohibited.
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/396252/could-you-all-help-me-out-with-something#post_3529978
Please sign the change.org petition here as well:
https://www.change.org/petitions/the-incorporated-village-of-patchogue-change-current-code-allow-tattoo-body-art-studios-to-operate-in-village?share_id=YRtlAnHvRE&utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
I just proudly signed and invited all my facebook friends to sign as well. We'll be praying for both of you.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I just wanted to thank all of you who took the time to sign the petition. It really means a lot to me. Tomorrow night we will be presenting our formal proposal before the village board. Keep your fingers crossed!
 
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