Northeast Florida tattoo artists feel forgotten as other businesses reopen

Northeast, Fla. — Tattoo parlors have been closed in Florida for months. The governor has yet to set a timeframe for when he’ll give the green light to reopen the tattoo industry.

Local tattoo artists said they feel left in the dark as they sit back and watch hair salons, barbershops and nail salons reopen.

Rod Crews has been in the business for more than 20 years. With tattoo parlors shut down in Florida, Crews crossed the border into Georgia where he can continue tattooing to support his family. “What makes the most logical sense is what you have to go with,” Crews said. “If I have to relocate to do that then I will.”

Crews said he will be working at a tattoo parlor in Camden County. “It’s mile marker one over the border, so I’m as close to my clients as I can be.” He said his clients are loyal and he’s already booked out two weeks.

The longer tattoo parlors stay closed in Florida, Crews said he’s concerned about people becoming desperate and getting a tattoo done at someone’s home. “It could be very unsafe. It could be very unsanitary,” Crews said.

Tattoo parlors are regulated by the Florida Department of Health. Crews said most tattoo parlors are cleaner than the other industries already allowed to reopen, which makes it more frustrating.“It’s not fair for the salons to be open and for my industry to be closed,’ Crews said.