Beach neighborhood not opening arms for tattoo parlor

I currently, and have always, lived in the area in question and I have never been so ashamed. Who the heck do you people opposing this think you are? Yes, this is a "nice" area but comments like these make it sound like snob central. Two POLICE officers are opening the shop. Do you really think it would be a haven for criminals?

Imagine going to a tattoo artist to have pigmentation correction to hide a large facial birthmark. It seems that there are profoundly good ways tattooing could serve the public. This is even though I dislike tattooing generally.

Let’s see…The article specifically names only two people who are opposed to the tattoo parlor, and those people make an ambiguous reference to “several other opponents,” but they don’t name them (do they really exist?), much less say whether they are business owners or not. Yet, we have several people saying they are ready to boycott the entire Hilltop business area because of the opponents’ holier-than-thou attitude. It seems these people are guilty of the same type of generalizations they are complaining about the “elitists” committing. Let’s make sure we’re not being too elitist in our condemnation of elitists.

By the way, I wonder how many of those sounding off in this forum actually went to the city council meeting tonight. Or, would doing something like that be too much of a conformist, pro-establishment thing to do? For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have any objection to the place being in Hilltop, or anywhere else.

Does anyone remember a time when a Harley was associated with a low class, seedy element? Now Boneshakers (VB Biker Bar) is littered with doctors, lawyers and other upper class citizens showing off their hogs. The same is true for tattoos. Unjustifiable maybe, but in the past it was associated with a criminal element. Those days are gone. The only reason I don't have a tattoo is because it is so trendy these days. Let them have the shop, introduce tats to a broader market, create some revenue for the city, and let people have a little fun with it. I'd bet a months salary that it is the most popular place in hilltop for a solid year after opening.

Last time I was there, many fast food joints abound. Judging from some of the 'more round' people I see running around the area, I'm sure this is a very upscale neighborhood...NOT!

I say let them open their business on the condition that they remove the hobo that frequents the K-Mart and resides each night on the bench in front of Big Lots and the resident panhandler that works the front of the CHKD Thrift Store and the Post Office (who has been seen shopping in Target and K-Mart). Why not allow this venture as it complements the motorcycle shop on Jack Rabbit Road (just follow your ears to the loud bikes and you'll find it).

Who said I was judging anyone? YOU are judging me.

That shopping center has a by a K-Mart, a Salvation Army thrift store, a Big Lots, Taco Bell, Wendy's, etc. This tattoo place will probably be decidedly upscale in comparison.

Don't get approval. Tatoos are gross and go right along with pierced noses, belly buttons, and these other silly behavior that says. ." look at me, I have low self-esteem and yet a need for attention." Stupid.

So let me understand it right, a shop OWNED and OPERATED by two Police Officers the same two you may have come to your house as its getting broken into and you call 911. Its time to get over it and stop discriminating against those who have and get tattoos. I have served both my country and my community and have done so with Tattoos and guess what I live in a high end neighborhood and I don't commit crimes. If the City Council does not approve this it is nothing more then discrimination.

about Hilltop? Not a darn thing!

Some people need to get their noses out of the air. We all breathe the same air and a tattooed person's dollar bill is worth just the same as any white collar person. Like anyone is going to go running scared from the nearby neighborhoods just because there is an "inking" parlor in a nearby shopping center. The owners didn't even use the word "tattoo" in their business name. Some people need not forget where they came from (or perhaps they were just fed with the silver spoon all of their lives).

There are some nice chain stores like Jos. Banks, Lily Pulitzer, Talbots, etc around there, but it ain't all that high class. The people around there must not travel much if they think shopping at Hilltop is too high end for a tattoo place. With tattoos being so mainstream these days, they should rethink their opinions.

I thought the courts have ruled that this was a legit business enterprise and could not be prohibited if they met the existing city codes. I try to avoid that feeder road, traffic congested area anyway, but now I know I will keep on going elsewhere. Someone may be offended by my tattoo I've had for forty years.

I suggest a drive out to Nevan Rd this evening. A tattoo parlor might bring the class up a bit.

Doesn't Hilltop have an Ollie's Bargain Basement? They'll allow Ollie's in there, but no tattoo parlor? Give me a break. How about letting the market determine whether there's room for a tattoo parlor there or not? If they open the parlor and it doesn't make money, they won't stay long, but if it DOES make money, it will also bring more shoppers into the Hilltop area.

I used to do a lot of shopping at Hilltop, but I won't spend any more of my moeny there if they think this is the sort of decision they need to make for me.

This is a prime example of close minded individuals. I don't have any tatoos but who gives people the right to judge others for having them.
I could put lipstick on you, but your still are what you are....a close minded individual.

I'm a little confused? How is Hiltop upscale? Isnt there a dollar store and a big lots over there? Guess the rich shop at these stores right??

Tell the Sedel's and their uptight clients/friends to get a grip! Besides that, who do they (Sedel & friends) think they are? What makes them (Sedel & friends) any better than the two gentlemen (police officers or not) trying to make a go at owning a business and being successful?

I hope whomever has to hear this arguement realizes just how foolish it is and grants the business permit.

Good luck guys! And if I'm ever in the market for a Tat - I'll come see you both!!

maybe they can come to Greenbrier!

maybe they could set up shop in one of the many empty shops at Towne Center, VA BCH. As a part owner of the Town Center (aka taxpayer) I'd welcome a tenant who can make the rent payment.

If I was a business owner in that shopping center I would welcome a tattoo parlor. They will be over run with business and maybe my business could benefit from that. Like it or not tattoo's are very popular these days. My best wishes to both of the police officers in their efforts. Good for you!

Give me a break. Va Beach needs to get over itself.

There's nothing upscale about the Hilltop shopping center, like the rest to Virginia Beach it's not much more than a slum. Who cares where these people get their tramp stamps? It's much more offensive for the landlord to insinuate that a pair of police officers are trying to intimidate the tenants; not that that's never happened before in the long sad history of police officers who do behave like this. Of course this uproar does show the low esteem in which people with tattoos and those that provide them are held.

Submitted by northendlocal on Tue, 09/23/2008 at 8:13 am.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. There is no such thing as an "upscale" tattoo studio.

Where's your proof?

There is no such thing as an upscale Hilltop.

Discrimination to me. Do I have the right to say who I don't want living in my neighborhood... people a different color than I am, people who are younger than I am, people who are poorer than I am, etc. File a lawsuit. Put that justice system of ours to use! Second, it seems to me the city would be jumping all over this for their tax revenue. Oh... I see... the tattoo shop isn't in "downtown" Virginia Beach. Hey tattoo guys... maybe you should shop for a space there! The city is willing to let people bring business to "downtown"

I am still amazed with the fact that such simple minds still exists! I have made numerous purchases in the Hilltop shopping center and being sheeted with many tattoos never hindered the salesperson accepting my credit cards for the huge purchases! I am almost certain that they snickered as I left their boutiques but gladly grasped my payment. I am reading this article as if citizens who are "decorated" with tattoos will never be accepted socially and should hold no "upscale" standing! I bet that you can guess where I am no longer shopping?

This is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time.. First off, Hilltop is far from the rich and famous, it's not even close to "nice" and two, Virginia Beach needs all the revenue it can get. Get a grip people.

Were talking about Hilltop, the place where at 5pm you can't go more than 5 feet in a green light cycle. I have lived in 23451 for about 7 years and I have yet to see the hoopla over this "marketplace". 27 cell phone stores, a blockbuster, and a wachovia do not make this an upper eschelon shopping area.

What ever happened to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Isnt "Steppin Out" on Nevan Rd? Come on now, you mean to tell me that Steppin Out represents what Hilltop is all about?

And who cares if they are police officers, firefighters, garbage collectors? They pay their taxes just like you and I. Let them do what they want. Its a tatoo place, not an abortion clinic.

I live off of N Great Neck and have shopped at Hilltop many times; however, after reading this holier than thou pontification, I, like CS, will no longer spend my money at any of the Hilltop shopping centers. Elitist attitudes indeed. Oops, gotta go, have an appointment to get yet another tattoo on my 49 year old, professional, educated body.