Reopened Texas tattoo shop receives notice to close after coronavirus concerns raised
A Hurst tattoo shop owner who reopened over the weekend despite a statewide coronavirus executive order received a note Monday from Hurst city officials asking for the business to close.
But North Texas Tattoo Co. had not received a citation or any fines as of Monday.
The Hurst business got the note Monday afternoon, saying they should stay closed until Gov. Greg Abbott approves reopening of tattoo businesses in Texas.
The note also included a letter that pointed out financial resources that could help the business, which had been closed since March 17 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“So sorry to hear of the tough times. I’ve included info on PPP program and EIDL. I’ve also included a couple of Hurst resources,” wrote Steve Bowden, Hurst executive director of economic development, in the note.
Bowden said Tuesday the city got calls from residents who were concerned that the business was open after reading about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“I went by and shared material that could help them apply for PPP and EIDL financial aid,” Bowden said in a Tuesday email. “Shared that they would need to temporarily close until Governors orders allows their opening and gave them contact info for the Governors Strike Force where they could request consideration for the reopening approval of their type of business.”
“We plan on staying open,” said Ashley Craig, one of the owners of North Texas Tattoo Co., on Tuesday. “Customers are coming in just by appointments.”
Craig has said she reopened on Saturday afternoon because she didn’t want her business, which she owns with her husband, to fail after 13 years.
Since Saturday, the shop on West Bedford-Euless Road has had customers.
As of Tuesday, Abbott has not indicated when he would issue an order allowing tattoo businesses to reopen.
Under the most recent order from Abbott, some businesses such as hair salons, barber shops and nail salons were allowed to reopen Friday with social distancing guidelines. Restaurants and retail stores were among those that reopened with limited capacity the previous week.
The governor noted businesses like gyms and exercise facilities could reopen May 18. But no date has been set for reopening businesses such as tattoo shops, piercing studios and massage parlors.
As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, almost 6,000 residents had signed a petition created by Craig, asking the governor to reopen tattoo businesses in Texas.
“We as an industry have been wrongly categorized for many generations,” the petition says. “A tattoo shop is just as clean and safe as any local doctors office.”
Other tattoo business in Texas also have opened in recent days against the order.
Waco city officials issued this statement to Infamous Ink after it opened, “Both the business and its patrons may be issued citations for operating and visiting a business that is prohibited under the law as it stands today,” according to KXTX-TV.
Craig also established a GoFundMe account late Saturday for the employees at the Hurst business and to help with any legal costs.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 1:41 PM.
