A tattoo studio is adding a location and expanding into retail in Longmont’s downtown.
Blackbird Ink had its soft opening in Longmont this month and is hoping to get its retail shop up and running sometime in March, owner Kirsty York said.
York has been tattooing for eight years and has owned and operated a small tattoo parlor in Lafayette for five. The shop in Lafayette only fits about three artists, so York has been looking to expand for a while.
“Over those five years, I’ve slowly grown our social media presence and all the artists have grown their skill sets,” she said.
The shop at 437 Main Street is where Cactus Coven was previously housed, and will have a similar concept of tattoo parlor meets retail store. York’s partner will be running the retail side, which will sell plants, rocks, candles and similar types of items.
“The Main Street is amazing because if we’re wanting to open the retail side, there’s lots of foot traffic,” York said.
While York is already tattooing at the new location, there’s still more to do before the retail side, which they’re calling Blackbird House, is up and running. York said they've been reaching out to local vendors and artists looking to cosign and sell their items at the store to start building up inventory.
She added that she’s excited to see that side of the business get started, since it's a new venture for her and her partner.
“It’s like a whole new thing that we're doing,” York said. “There's going to be new lessons to be learned, I’m sure.”
York said she’s planning on hiring more artists. The tattoo parlor, which sits upstairs and separate from the retail area, will be by appointment only like her Lafayette location.
