Pincushn's Custom Tattooing and Body Piercing first shop of its kind in downtown Holland

Brett Giroux, owner of Pincushn's Custom Tattooing and Body Piercing, says his shop's recent move to a very visible storefront in downtown Holland will show the community that the studio is a legitimate business. According to a media release from Downtown Holland, the shop is the first of its kind in the downtown district.
 
Pincushn's has been in Holland for five years, but was "tucked around the corner and not very visible," Giroux says. The shop opened in its new 1,000-square-foot space at 214 College Ave. on March 20, just a short distance from Hope College.
 
"We're seeing a lot of new faces who haven't been in before," Giroux says. "It seems to be making a lot of noise and curiosity. Most studios are kind of hidden and we're finally coming out on the main street here and showing that we're a legitimate business."
 
Beside Giroux, the shop employs two tattoo artists, one piercing technician and one apprentice, all of whom are licensed by the State of Michigan.
 
Giroux says the majority of the tattoo side of the business is custom work, designed by the artists. Customers come in with pictures or ideas of what they want. An artist will work with them to design it based on where the customer wants it on their body, colors, intricacies and so on. Average pricing runs about $125/hr., but large, multiple-session tats are about $75/hr. with a four-hour minimum.
 
"A lot of the piercings are rarely original anymore," Giroux says. "As far as tattoos go, if something has been done a lot, we encourage them to think about doing something else."
 
Giroux welcomes inquiries. "Every curious person can stop into the studio and see how we operate. I'd like to see every person being more comfortable about having a tattoo shop in town."
 
Store hours: Mon. - Sat., noon to 9 p.m.
 
Source: Brett Giroux, Pincushn's Custom Tattoo and Body Piercing; Media Release, Downtown Holland
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor