Crafting a custom tattoo experience in the old Horseshoe Bar

"All custom work" is how Nicole Ash describes what makes Honest to Goodness Tattoo and Piercing stand out from other tattoo parlors in the city. That, and their very cool space in the third floor of the old Horseshoe Bar located at 333 Grandville Ave. SW.  

Honest to Goodness Tattoo and Piercing was opened two years ago and moved to its new location in February 2014. It has a team of four full-time artists, one piercer and one screen printer who works on creating shirts, signs, buttons and posters from their artist's work.

Ash describes their team as very eclectic, thanks to the wide variety of skills and expertise that the four tattoo artists possess, which she says range "from traditional to new styles." Another unique quality, Ash says, is that five of the six employees are women and their work is "very influenced by the feminine hand."

Since the move to the new location, business has been very good, (even though they are the only tenant so far in the building), with tattoo services booked out as far as three weeks to six months in advance.   

Ash says they all work hard to create a great experience for anyone wanting a tattoo or piercing: "We try to make people feel comfortable, like they are at home."

To learn more about Honest to Goodness Tattoos and Piercing, you can visit their  Facebook page here.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor