Gauntlet Tattoo opened on July 14th on 150 King St. W
In one more trade that has been hit arduous by the pandemic, it appears unlikely that any new tattoo outlets could be opening up round city.
But regardless of being out of labor for a lot of the previous 12 months, two native ladies, Ines Silva and Genevieve Bethley, have established a brand new tattoo store in downtown Kitchener — a store they hope will stand out from the group.
“Proper now it is a very open area, and that was one thing we actually wished: a spot that is gentle, the place folks can really feel secure,” Silva mentioned. “It’s not your typical tattoo store that’s tremendous arduous and heavy and loud. We painted the partitions a sage inexperienced colors, so it is extra calming.”
Gauntlet Tattoo is situated on 150 King St. W, throughout the road from Bobby O’Briens.
“It is a 90-year-old constructing that was once a financial institution. Like, our provide closet is an previous vault. There’s a lot previous time allure to this place, it simply feels good,” Bethley mentioned.
Past the aesthetic of the store, they wish to supply a unique type of vibe than a variety of outlets within the space, by collaborating with different tattoo artists.
“I do not see different artists as competitors. Everybody has their very own type, everybody has their very own strengths,” Bethley mentioned. “I believe we must always come collectively extra as a neighborhood. And we wish to give off extra of that power against being like, ‘Nicely, no, like, we’re the one store that issues.’”
They plan to have a spot open for travelling tattoo artists who wish to work, and one other spot for artists who wish to work with them on a extra common foundation by renting out a chair area.
This concept of performing extra like a collective than opponents is what initially began them on the trail to opening their very own store.
The pair met working at Energy Home Tattoos in Kitchener.
Earlier than opening Gauntlet, the pair had solely labored 40 days this 12 months due to the endless lockdowns, and Silva, who moved right here from Portugal, was unable to get CERB as a result of she solely obtained her everlasting residency final 12 months and hadn’t filed her taxes but.
After such a tough 12 months, they jumped on the probability to open the store when their pal supplied to take a position.
“A pal of ours overheard us speaking about wanting to start out trying into opening our personal store and beginning a brand new future for ourselves as a staff,” Bethley mentioned. “She was trying to make investments some cash, so she requested us how a lot we would want.”
“The chance was like a now or by no means kind of factor,” Bethley mentioned. “I do not know if we’d ever have something much like that simply fall in our laps.”
They began reserving viewings for various industrial areas across the area, and ended up falling in love with the primary one they booked — which is the place the store is now.
Whereas they’re cautious that there could be one other lockdown that stops them from working, as of proper now, issues appear to be going fairly nicely.
The store solely opened final Wednesday, however they’re already busy with appointments.
“We’re fairly lucky proper now that we’ve such consumer base. We’re each fairly fairly booked forward, which is sweet,” Silva mentioned.
Gauntlet Tattoo is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays via Saturdays
You will discover out extra or e-book appointments by visiting them on Instagram at @gauntlet.tattoo, @ineznebulatattoos, or @gennykat.
