The pandemic decimated several industries over the last 18 months – hospitality, restaurants, tourism.
But one industry making a grand comeback is the body art industry, specifically tattoos.
Especially in the Bay Area. Many local tattoo shops and artists are being inundated with new requests from clients itching to go under the needle.
"I’m getting a sunrise bird on top of my Virgin Mary," said one client, Saul, who wound up paying $250 for the new addition to his collection at Built to Last, a tattoo shop in San Leandro.
"I think it’s great, I’m not hating on anybody, the more business the better," said owner Mike Patrick.
All body artists are in the same boat, he said, getting flooded with requests from clients who had to put off their body art dreams because of the pandemic.
Now they’re returning in droves.
Patrick wishes he could hire more artists to meet the demand, but his shop just doesn’t have room. "I have a full house," he said.
But those looking to change careers shouldn’t fret. Patrick has noticed other parlors seeking new artists. "They’re always posting about how they’re looking for somebody," he said.
And the growth will have large impact.
Nationally, the $1.4 billion tattoo artist industry is expected to increase its market size by 23.2% in 2021.
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