Update, as of 2pm on Friday, January 27, more than 180 people have taken the Clinton Patch poll on whether they would support a proposed tattoo parlor in town.
The results so far? 100 "yes," 68 "no," and 20 "makes no difference to them."
On the Clinton Patch Facebook page, there are 54 comments ranging from very strong in favor to very strong opposed. A few don't care either way.
Here are some of the Facebook comments:
- Dave Nager This is still America right? Will they pay rent? Pay taxes? Then it should be "allowed." Not wanting this in our town is different than saying we shouldn't allow it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, once again - this is America- but we should be clear....there is no reason to not "allow" a tattoo shop in our town. Don't take our freedom for granted.
- Jason Paul Hicks I find it rediculous that we even have to have this argument. Everyone is entitled to their own descisions, in this case being whether we should have a tattoo parlor or not. Everyone who will not support this needs to consider the fact that they have no say in what others do to their bodies. If I wanted a tattoo, I could get one, and no one would have any right to judge me for it. This is my body and I will do whatever I please with it. If you don't want a tattoo, don't get one. Simple as that.
- Carolyn Vallee Wow. The nicest tattoo parlor I've ever been to is in lake George. Walking by, without the signage, you'd swear it was a boutique, selling upscale young fashions-which it was. Tats were done in the back. Nice place. If it must come to Clinton, that should be the model.
Here's the original story and keep the comments coming!:
Local business owners Edward and Lisa Alberino, who own at 235 East Main Street have applied to the town's Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) to add a new service to their existing business: tattoos.
In order to provide the service, the Alberino's must be granted a special exception permit for a tattoo parlor by the PZC.
At a public hearing held earlier this month, the owners explained the business concept to the public and the commission. Due to incoming information from the regional health department, the public hearing was continued to February 6.
As Lisa Alberino explained, tattoo services would be available in a separate, private room down the hall from the barber shop.
"It would be clean, safe and professional," she said.
Many of her female hair and nail clients are looking for a safe and local place to get a tattoo, she said.
"Tattoos were definitely a man's thing, but today, so many women are expressing themselves through skin art," said Alberino.
Alberino admits there is a "stigma" attached to tattoo parlors, especially those in a big city.
"First, we have been in business for 21 years - the barber shop for six years. I have lived in Clinton my whole life and am a hands-on owner," said Alberino.
The tattoo services will not be noticeable, she added.
"No one will know there are tattoo services available at our salon even if you are in the building," she said. "There will be no advertising."
Alberino said many of her friends on Facebook support the idea.
"I think the three people who came to the public hearing in opposition to our application were afraid that the service would bring down the value of their properties," she said.
Residents who spoke out against the application included Jenny Townsend, who said a tattoo parlor is not a benefit to the town, Dr. Andrew Berliner, who said he is concerned about property values and that 30 to 40 percent of his practice (across the street from the proposed tattoo parlor) involves children, and Dr. Kenneth Carlough, on a similar note as Berliner, said his practice sees 75 children a day and thought a tattoo parlor was not the best use for this location in Clinton.
A PZC member asked the Alberino's what would prevent children from receiving a tattoo. At the hearing Edward Alberino said that no one under the age of 18 would be allowed in the tattoo area unless they were with a parent. Lisa Alberino said it is a state law - no one under the age of 18 can get a tattoo.
Interestingly enough, this is only the second application for tattoo services in the history of Clinton, said Alberino.
The first application, for a tattoo parlor in the early 1990s, was turned down by the PZC.
The public hearing on this application is continued to Monday, February 6.
