New London (WTNH) - For decades tattoo parlors were against the law in New London. News Channel 8 visited the first one to open in the Whaling City since the 1960s.
Dan Pierce is the first to run a tattoo parlor in New London since 1962. They were outlawed in part because of a hepatitis scare. Last month the city made zoning changes and now a new business is born.
"Tattoing is linked directly into maritime history and New London's an old whaling city. It's got a rich maritime history something that fits very well in New London," said Dan.
Frank Marchany was one of the first customers at Whaling City Tattoo Museum.
"It's nice because it's like, a really clean tattoo shop," said Frank.
Frank owns an art gallery/shoe boutique just down the block from the new tattoo parlor. He's hoping that his business is transformed by the new one.
"We're really trying to get this street to be like to a hip street that you come to so why not support each other keep everybody going," Frank said.
Whaling City has really gotten a warm welcome in the Whaling City. The Northern India Restaurant across the street even gave them a $20 bill with 'good luck' scrawled on it.
Dan hopes to ink his way into the fabric of the community for a long period of time.
We just feel like we'd like to do things that last and look good over a long period of time," Dan said.
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