Тату-салон Tidewater Tattoo в Элктоне готовит масштабную вечеринку ко дню рождения с призами и закрытием улицы

ELKTON — They’re running out of floor space inside Tidewater Tattoo because the prizes for their upcoming 40th anniversary party keep coming in to the shop on East Main Street in Elkton. Along with a multi-colored prize wheel, Rob Massimiano, owner of Tidewater Tattoo, has everything from gift cards to sporting equipment, electric guitars and a kayak to be given away Sept. 5. from 1 until 6 p.m. “Every person that comes in the door will receive a raffle ticket,” Massimiano said. “Throughout the day, we’re going to call out numbers. If your number is called, you get to spin the prize wheel.” Massimiano, his son David, Jesse Overton and Avery Squitieri are the tattoo artists, while Darnell Saunders is the master at body piercing. “At first I didn’t want to add piercing,” Massimiano said. “I’m in this for the art.” However, he realized quickly that this was a service that was gaining in popularity. “So I sent Darnell to a friend’s shop to train him,” he said. “And then I started piercing in ‘96,” Overton added. In 40 years, Massimiano said he’s pretty much seen it all in the world of body art. While he and the staff are pretty open minded, there are still limits. “We don’t do dermals,” Massimiano said of the piercing procedure that he considers to be more of an implant. David Massimiano said there are tattoo limits, too. “Any racially charged stuff,” David said, calling them “no brainers.” “We also don’t do any drug or gang-related work,” Rob said. “I’ve covered more confederate flags than I’ve done.” “I love doing cover ups and restorations of tattoos that people are not happy with,” he added. “Nothing makes me happier than taking a tattoo that someone no longer wants and turning it into something they love.” Tidewater Tattoo began in a smaller shop across the street from the current location. “I was there 18 years. When I worked over there, I was by myself,” Rob said. When he decided to cross the street, he also closed shops he had in Newport and Glasgow, Del., and added staff in Elkton. “When I started there, weren’t that many shops,” Massimiano said. “Now, the market has become somewhat flooded and it’s much more competitive.” Massimiano said every one of his artists is talented. “In this shop, there are no weak links,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you get. You are going to get a good tattoo.” While the motto of Tidewater Tattoo is “If you can think it, we can ink it,” each artist has a favorite. “Portraits are one of my favorites,” Rob said, while David loves inking cherry blossoms. Rob also likes doing Polynesian tribal designs, Native American art and wildlife. “I like cartoons and mechanical stuff,” Overton said. Come celebrate with Tidewater Tattoo and enjoy free activities for every age including seashell painting, sidewalk chalk and cornhole. North Street will be closed from Rise N Grind to Main Street for the celebration, that will include live music and hot dogs on the grill. “And of course, my neighboring businesses will have specials,” he said. “I like that it’s become a community thing.” For Massimiano this party is a big “thank you” to everyone who has supported his business over these 40 years. “Thank you for letting us do what we do. It’s one of those rare industries where you can make money out of art,” Massimiano said. “After 40 years, I still love it.”