First Place Tattoos Banned?!

I think people need to see the real issue here, shortly after First Place purchased a building on main street the mayor quickly tried to ban tattoo shops on main street to leave them with an empty storefront, not exactly a fair move for a business that has been established in Hackettstown for 11 years with a great reputation. I felt the need to start this post because the other one lumps tattoo shops in with cash checking places and that somewhat obscures the issue (this one deserves its own post). If this ban is passed First Place may not have a business in Hackettstown at all. I realize tattoos are not for everyone but this is about right and wrong, personally I feel First Place gives more to the community by giving it a touch of a hip college town feel. I would love to hear a reasonable reason why First Place is getting thrown under the bus by the mayor without him using the word "check cashing" in his response, should we really back him just because he says so but cant voice why?

Wovenhand February 19, 2008 1:54 pm | Link

I agree, First Place is an asset to the community and the mayor is completely backwards thinking that he can ban this quietly. Everyone I talk to in Hackettstown loves First Place, the people there are friendly, professional and all have art degrees making it a top knotch tattoo shop. They have been there for a long time and I think of them as a fixture in Hackettstown. If they were gone Hackettstown would lose one of their best businesses.

Sufjan February 19, 2008 2:05 pm | Link

I said this in the other topic too, they need to seperate the issues and loose that out of touch with the times line of thinking. Grouping the tattoo shop in with the other places is just ridiculous and sneaky.

They've been there as long as I can remember and its criminal to say that because of one mans prejudice against tattoo shops they would not have the same right any business should have to improve themselves.

I feel cheated that someone was voted in that would mix their own personal feelings and agenda in the way of whats best for the town and small business. It's sad a town leader knows nothing of it's citizens.

Daniel Plainview February 19, 2008 3:29 pm | Link

well said Daniel kudos to you :)

Cherie February 19, 2008 3:53 pm | Link

I don't think they are as bad as check cashing places but if I had my way it's not what I want on Main Street either. I would rather Main Street look like Main Street in Chester. Maybe that's a lofty goal but that would be my wish.

I dont know how many times this needs to be said. There are a many close minded people on this forum that are only looking at this from one angle. Now for the most part this debate or what have you has become completely about The "tattoo parlor ban" Im not affraid to hide my name because I will 100% speak my mind and stand up for First Place not only because its a reputable and legit business because tattoos have become my lifestyle and the guys at the shop have become my family. They are all hard working down to earth people and everyone of them HAVE COLLEGE degrees. Tattooing is not the only thing that they aspire to do in life they are more outgoing then anyone i have ever met.I am a mother of a beautiful 3 year old girl who has been raised in that shop and I can tell you that I personally wouldnt trust anyone else more in this town to be around her... I know for a fact not everyone of you on this forum who has said negative things or is sticking by Laverys side can say such things about yourself. Who is anyone trying to kid? What is the greatest purpose of a community and its people? Having things that the PEOPLE want in there town. Ok so not everyone cares about the tattoo shop... not everyone cares about the cafes or the video store either... But Everyone apparently moved to hackettstown for one reason or another because there are businesses and certain things and places that they enjoy or their family can benefit from. I personally benefit from the first place, that is my vice my lifestyle. For the people who have negative perspectives on the shop let me ask you this? Do you have any idea what goes on behind the shop walls? do you have any idea what great fun we have? What great people i have met over the years coming into the shop? how many people have left feeling better about themselves because of there life filled expression through art and the gifts these guys give them! All in all I just ask everyone to take a different look at this. Push Lavery to the side and make your own judgements about whats good for this town and leave first place alone. These guys are not going anywhere. We'll be here for a long long time I can assure you this.

I don't see how a tattoo shop takes away from that, you could have one in Chester and still have all the wicker chickens and grapevine wreathes your heart desires. It's not that it isn't AS bad, it simply isn't bad at all.

There's a legitimate concern about check cashing places but the tattoo shop just carries (an out of date)stigma and yet has nothing ACTUALLY bad about it. Like the way a lot of people used to not like other races but that didn't make it ok to make it difficult for them to live.

Daniel Plainview February 19, 2008 4:31 pm | Link

This is obviously a passionate topic. I would just like to express some of the concerns of the people who feel tattoo places are not an asset to Hackettstown. That being said there are many wonderful people who have tattoos! Some of my friends have them and they are college educated caring people. I think the concern about some tattoo places is that in other towns it sometimes attracts people that might not be desirable around kids. Very few upscale towns like Chester have these sorts of places. They seem to be in towns that could be on the depressed side economically. I feel some people would rather leave their town to get a tattoo. They are not against them, but just know that sometimes these places could attract the wrong element. That might not necessarily be true about tattoo places in Hackettstown. Again tattoo places can be an asset to the community, but often they can attract the wrong element. This is the concern and it is a concern that we cannot just ignore. Please explain to the readers why they should not worry. Then maybe they will feel more at ease. If this cannot be done then their concerns are understandable. Again these are just ideas and opinions I am not looking to upset people.

Matt February 19, 2008 5:28 pm | Link

I think 1st place deserves their spot. they are a reputable business and to date have had no issues or problems as far as I've heard. why can someone walk into the Laughing Lion and get trashed regularly and drive out of there, yet Lavery wants to close a tattoo shop?? Talk about enabling the wrong element of people. In towns like this where they try and promote this quaint little historic side, a place like 1st place isn't going to be promoted favorably. I say let them stay, it offers an alternative artistic style and some of these tight wads around here could use a little loosening up. Maybe 1st place should offer Lavery a complimentary tattoo to help sway his decision. maybe it could go on his forehead?? LOL

"They seem to be in towns that could be on the depressed side economically." Tatoos are not cheap anymore. They are art, and are arguably a form of plastic surgery.

I'll give you a CLEAR sign of a depressed town -- a millitary recruitment office, which we have on Main Street. I am not against it being there, just stating what it symbolizes.

Mr. Lavery needs to look beyond his personal issue with tattoo shops and look at this topic and how many citizens and townspeople support the shop. Just for my own personal inquiring mind, how many people with tattoos voted for him in the last election?

Patrick O. February 19, 2008 10:47 pm | Link

This is a ludicrous idea, to ban an established business that has never given any problems to the community, based solely on nothing more then archaic assumptions that; "tattoo parlors might attract unsavory individuals." This is 2008 it is not 1950, inmates and rowdy sailors are not the only people with tattoos anymore. This is a perfect example of political corruption at its best. When Mayor Castro is done with First Place he can clean up the rest of the town into his ideal image.

Sam Reinschmidt February 20, 2008 12:56 am | Link

Actually, I would like to see First Place Tattoo move out of the place they are in now and into a store front on Main St. I think it would make them seem more like a reputable business. I think where they are located now seems more "seedy" than being located on Main St.

Mrs. Resident February 20, 2008 6:52 am | Link

Ok - it is said above that it is desired to have H-town main street be like Chester. Some argue that the tattoo place would or would not support that vision.

It appears that there is a lot of belief that just banning certain businesses is all that is needed to reach the "vision" for the town. This is limited and narrow minded thinking.

It does not appear that the town council and the Mayor are looking at what needs to be done to bring their vision to real life. Banning certain businesses will only lead to empty storefronts, that is not the way to change the tone of the main street businesses or make main street prosper.

I said this on the other thread as well, we need to identify and fix the root problems that is limiting the customer base they want from coming to town. Businesses in town will only thrive if they have customers to support them.

The businesses do not drive the customers, the customers drive the businesses. This is basic economics and any commercial lender will first look to see if the customer base is there to support the business before they lend. NOT the other way around.

So if you want to change the current look of the town, you need to develop ways to bring the clientel that you want to the town. Then more businesses will come to support that base.

With that being said, it appears that the tattoo shop has a place in this town. It has been here 11 years - which alone proves its case. The fact that they are doing well enough to move to a larger place and purchase instead of rent, is even more proof that they have the devoted customer base and are bringing customers to the town. Also as others have pointed out - tattoos are more mainstream now than ever before. This is not the back alley business of the past, it is art.

It would be great if the town council looked at the real reason the town is the way it is and either accept it or move to make the changes to bring their vision. This latest move is very closed minded

I am with hte mayor on the check cashing facility ban, but he probably should not have included tatoo parlors in there as well. Tatoos are becoming very main stream, and the industry is heavily regulated... Let's face it, honestly, who is going to utilize a check cashing store?? answer: those who cannot get a bank account!!! We don't need any more unsavory characters (of any race) hanging around Main Street with nothing to do.

deviljet February 20, 2008 7:51 am | Link

I for one am in the Armed forces have 1 Tattoo and planning on more. The one that i have symolizes life and for us that deploy to a war zone i beleive that is very important. I grew up in the area and used to hang out at a tattoo parlor (forget its name) and i was liked by all. and the people who go in to these places may look bad on the outside but they are just normall folks like u and me. obviously the mayor doesnt like self beautifacation cause nail salons and tattoo parlors he wants out of main street so what buisness is he going to put in its place? I dont now understand???? Sorry for the misspelling but i am in a rush and very heated!!!

Crispy February 20, 2008 8:00 am | Link

Well said, cj. It strikes me as totally backward logic to say that in order to attract shoppers, we're going to not allow one of the most successful businesses on Main St. to move to a higher profile space. As much as some may want Hackettstown to be Chester, it was the market that pushed Chester in that direction, not misguided and heavy-handed manipulation. I say let First Place move to a more visible spot, and encourage them to put up a great storefront. It would be an asset to our town!

NewHere February 20, 2008 8:04 am | Link

This will not help the town. I think First Place is an asset to the town and to be taken would be ashame.

Christina February 20, 2008 8:38 am | Link

To close First Place Tattoo would not be the best thing for the town. People may think that it will make Hackettstown better by closing it but it won't. First Place Tattoo is an asset to have and to close it would be ashame.

First Place tatoos should not be banned. It is a big asset to the down and a proper business like any other. It gives people a chance to express themselves and discover new forms of art. Many people would be upset to see its closing.

What if Mayor Lavery next decides that Antique stores should be banned, or bicycle shops? What will he do next while he is on his moral high-horse? Maybe he should spend his time and energy as well as our taxes on banning stacking in Main Streets apartments. Go after the landlords who allow 12 illegal immigrants in one apartment. Without the illegals, we won't need a check cashing facility. People who pay taxes and have social security numbers can go to the bank.

The check cashing stores are definitely setup to assist people who can not legally obtain a bank account. Places like this only assist illegally employed people and encourage them to remain in our town. If the tattoo parlor operates within the laws of our state and their customers are law biding as well, they should not be forced out. Let's focus on the businesses that are here to target people breaking the law, and not the ones who provide services to law biding, TAX PAYING residents!

Matt,
That was a good post, logicl and well thought out. To help answer the question I would like to bring up the fact that in it's 11 years First Place has NEVER had a police call, never had any complaints at all actually. Many of the customers actually bring their children with them. I'm not sure why it is just assumed it brings in a bad element when there is no evidence of this.

As far as bringing people who should not be around children, would not that argument be better applied to a place like a bar? I would hate to see Charlie Browns get closed down next or the Laughing Lion.

To make these assumptions about a business that was present at the time of Hackettstowns nomination in the top 100 towns in the US, is just about as sound as supporting racism.

A few decades ago many of the stereotypes some folks seem to be applying to the tattoo shop were also applied to African Americans and other minorities. My hope would be that by 2008 we could all say that we no longer think with that kind of stereotyping mind-set but some of the people in town actually still thinking this really dissappoints me.

Given it's track record, if you want reasons why these peoples fears would be unfounded i would say they are unfounded. If it really has to be guilty until proven innocent, well I would say it's innocent.

There should be no fears about the tattoo shop, go in there any time, its not the scary place we see on TV or in movies, its not riddled with Nazi's and biker gangs. Its the home of several artists and comic book fans who found a way to earn an honest living while enjoying the rare joy that only drawing can provide! I think you will find this description to be applicable to many of the customers they have in addition to members of the law enforcement, fire department and the heroes we are privilaged to have live among us that have the honor to say they defend our country in military service.
Those are the people of First Place Tattoos, not the terrors we based our stereotypes on from television.

Daniel Plainview February 20, 2008 1:26 pm | Link

Anyone naive enough to belief First Place will be uneffected please take the time to consider this -

Any funding poured into an investment on Main Street might as well just be money set on fire, which is the first blow against First Place, the second being this: having an intial investment effectively stymied they are in a poor financial position to defend themselves when the Mayor leans on the landlord of the current building First Place occupies and has him decline to renew on the lease leaving them subject to whatever new zoning code they install and unable to re-locate or re-open anywhere in Hackettstown.

They are trying to shift attention to the fact that First Place will not be closed outright but they are trying to hide the fact that... they are undermining First Place's efforts at a Main St. investment.

DON'T SUPPORT THE MAYORS CAMPAIGN OF SELF-INTEREST.

I'm speaking to people like YOU, Joan - perhaps one day the nice craft store you spoke of will end up being in a building one of the Mayor's friends is interested in and next thing you know, BYE BYE INVESTMENT! I'm sure you're familiar with Joann Fabrics, at some point it became more lucretive to someone to take it away from you and turn the whole thing into a Lowes.

Money wins. Money and Politics. Until someone stops it.

DONT SUPPORT THIS DECISION

Only a marginal amount of research will yield a big surprise in finding out who some of the original supporters of Hitler and the SS were until they turned on them and cannibalized their political foundation and just took off into control of everything, unchecked, unbalanced.

Though the scale is different the framework is the same. We CANNOT afford to put this kind of power in the hands of those that don't have our best interest at heart.

Daniel Plainview February 20, 2008 1:30 pm | Link

Is this the same guy who banned tongue piercings because his daughter got one and he didn't like it? Times are a-changin'. The mayor needs to get with the program and realize that it's not HIS town, just because he's semi-in charge of it. Unfortunatly, these descision rest with the same folks who voted for Bush...

Justin February 20, 2008 1:43 pm | Link

I don't know where everyone is getting there information from, but First Place Tattoo can stay and can move to main st. Ask them, ask their lawyer, and they will tell you this. It must be an election year for Lavery and his opposition must be stirring the pot. Ask the town attorney and ask First Place Tattoo's attorney and they will tell you that they can stay. Were supposed to keep this forum civil, so I think everyone here needs to get the proper info before turning their venom on someone who may not deserve it. If no one believes this, go to the town council meeting on Monday, Feb. 25, and you can have this all explained to you by the mayor and council. Let's not jump the gun here people!

Annonymous, I tried to tell them that but everyone is not listening.

Christine February 20, 2008 9:06 pm | Link

I know the facts and owner of first place knows. But the banning of "first place" is not the issue. Its the banning of tattoo parlors in Hackettstown all together and other underlining issues. People need to get there facts straight. This post was put up to see peoples opnions on how they felt on the article. Somehow it became a hot topic on "first place" and quickly after that how the minority should be removed from town. Go back to the begining and argue the REAL topic here. The tattoo shop is NEVER LEAVING. that was never a question. It was the ridiculous outlook that the mayor and his council have for the town... and how it "should" look "perfectly" in their eyes.

Downtown Hackettstown has the potential to be a tourist shopping experience. They should welcome a family buisness that has such a loyal following.

Christine, I see that. I guess everyone wants to stir the pot unnecessarily!

Annonymous, I think that most of us are well aware that the shop would still be allowed to operate at its current location. The issue is whether it would be allowed to move to a better location. Further, many of us here are philosophically opposed to government officials attempting to legislate their personal moral beliefs. I find it both personally offensive and potentially harmful to Hackettstown's economy, and will choose to not vote for any officials or support any town organizations that take such a stance. I don't think that's stirring the pot at all, but a serious local issue that deserves the attention it's receiving.

NewHere February 21, 2008 7:15 am | Link

On a brighter note, this topic showed up on NJN last night as one of the headline stories. The story did not paint the town in a favorable light. I for one hope the publicity helps First Place.

Does anyone know if they do basic ear piercings?

newhere, being that many here are philosophically opposed to govt. officials attempts to ligislate their personal moral beliefs, does that mean the remainder of the population of approx. 10,000 agree with the govt.

"newhere, being that many here are philosophically opposed to govt. officials attempts to ligislate their personal moral beliefs, does that mean the remainder of the population of approx. 10,000 agree with the govt."

How can any one person possibly know what 10,000 other people's beliefs are. Maybe they don't have computer access, maybe they don't even know about the proposed ordinance, either way the 10,000 other people in Hackettstown would have to come on here and give their opinion, and to believe that 10,000 people agree with govt based solely on their silence on a message board would be incorrect. These 10,000 people will voice their opinion of the govt when they vote and I believe that the town officials will be very surprised by the outcome if they choose to follow through with this ordinance.

Sam Reinschmidt February 21, 2008 5:32 pm | Link

I am a 40 year old Mother of 3 who goes to First Place with my Dad. I can't name a single business on Main Street in Hackettstown - never walked it from one end to the other. I know exactly where First Place is and that's where I go. We have been to the Pandam Room on several occasions after being tattooed. However, when Mike, Jeff & Everett are moved in to their new building, I will take the time to notice and perhaps even, stop in at the other local shops. I have money to spend - just ask the guys at First Place. Isn't that the type of person you want hanging around town. I represent a growing demographic of professional women who frequent their establishment.

Patty Herrmann February 21, 2008 6:29 pm | Link

People talk to the owners of First Place Tattoos they are moving into their building and will open. They are grandfathered in!!!!!!The closing is still on!!!!The BID is supporting their business and will stand behind them.

Christine February 21, 2008 7:26 pm | Link

Annon, I don't quite see what you're asking ... ? I'm speaking only for myself and others with whom I've spoken.

NewHere February 21, 2008 7:52 pm | Link

Christine, thats not the point. They should not have to be Grandfathered in. They should not have to be supported by the BID. Not only is there nothing wrong with the place but the town should be helping them move and welcoming the upgrade. Instead they are welcomed with a tattoo ban. It shows how the council feels and the whole point is to shed some light on how the public, local and regional, really feels about tattoos in this day and age. Just the fact that this could be blown out of proportion says something about that. Not a peep over the nail salon or massage ordinance, but I will support those businesses also, just on the grounds of Economic Darwinism.

If the town doesn't need check cashing, they wont be able to pay their rent. If there are too many nail salons, the ones who give the best service and are the safest will be the ones who survive. Hence one tattoo shop in a 20 mile radius and still trying to make a better environment for their customers.

The point is the ordinance should not have even been proposed.

Hurikain February 22, 2008 12:50 am | Link

Mike from First Place Tattoo's is scheduled to be on Talk of the Town on WRNJ at 10 AM this morning.

If you are interested in this topic, you may want to tune in.

Mr DudeFella February 22, 2008 9:41 am | Link

I think Mike did a good job but they didn't let him speak! The real issue was not addressed why First Place has been in the news!
And it is great to hear that the H-Town BID is in support off the shop and its possible move! They should have let him elaboate more on all the subjects!

This is not a direct attack on First Place Tattoos. It is not a personal attack on the artists there in. First Place can stay where they are, doing what they do. It is an underhanded, deceptive, cowardly attack on #1 First Place Tattoos, who will have to cater to the whim of the board (which is under the impression that a tattoo studio contributes to the "decline of the town") and jump through hoops to remain in town (highly unlikely given this opinion), and #2 the modern "tattoo culture" and the undesireable folks who support it, not just here...not just these guys...everywhere. Everyone. It is a moral judgement against anyone who has a tattoo, anyone who supports tattoo artists. It saddens me that in this day and age such biases still exist...I, for one, will be attending Monday's board meeting.....

Isn't it wrong to ban someplace because a person may think it is "disgusting"? That sounds like some type of infringement or violation of some right that we have. First Place Tattoos does a lot of business, and I'm sure that the town benefits from this as well - dollar and cents wise. My husband travels to First Place Tattoos from where we live in Hampton because he trusts this establishment and they are truly first place at their art. Oh and if you want to do something about Main Street in Hackettstown, why don't you do something about the roads and traffic as well as the empty store fronts? Traffic is one of the main reasons we moved from Hackettstown because it takes you 30 minutes just to get across town. You should be happy that someone is interested in putting a new business on Main Street since it takes so long to get through that area let alone park.

Stephanie February 23, 2008 7:05 pm | Link

Correct me if i'm wrong but if you read through this whole thread (and the other one) there has been pretty much nothing but support for the tatoo place on this board, myself included.

Bryan's Wife February 24, 2008 8:14 am | Link

Traffic isnt that bad. It has never taken me 30 minutes to get across town.

Christine February 24, 2008 4:39 pm | Link

I remember my very first tattoo and I was caught up in all the stories of people going to get them and then getting infected and all that. Walking into this place and meeting these artists made me forget all of that. Its a homely atmosphere where everyone knows at least one of the artist's by name before even entering the establishment. Something like that doesn't happen everywhere you go. I believe it should stay put and not be grouped into the category with check cashing establishments because there is NO relation there. Also Jay, I'm a little offended by your comment about the military recruitment center and I believe that holds no bearing on a town's economic status. I'm in the Air Force myself and I find that a very crude, yet bold statement to make. However, First Place must stay.

Bjorn February 24, 2008 8:11 pm | Link

seriously? ok. maybe we should ban fried chicken places too. i hear black people eat fried chicken. suggest it to your mayor. i bet he would love the idea. who voted for this guy? what year is this? if he's really worried about the socioeconomic situation of the people who frequent his town, how about some awesome social service programs? that is TOTAL discrimination. like all people who get tattoos or need checks cashed are "bad" where does this man live? i need to know.

I've only been to First Place one time. I personally do not have any tattoos, but i went along with a friend when they got one. I don't visit Hackettstown too often, but I can say, all the guys there were pretty cool. They all do awesome work and were great to talk to while I was there. When I decide to get a tattoo(still trying to decide what to get), First Place would be where I would want to get it.

I hope this ban does not happen, I would be disappointed to see them have to leave.

Michael February 26, 2008 3:11 am | Link

Why do you need to know, living in the now?

my husband and i are professional business people, along with being senior citizens. true, we do not have a tatoo; however, i do not find this type of business harmful. we have known mike, since he was 4 years old, and saw him grow into his own as an artist of great talent. these people that are making all these judgements against his place of business, should only have half the talent he possesses, along with the great compassion and generosity he has for people. we live in newton, and see what has become of our town, empty stores, with the council trying to revitalize a place that could never be a chester, and until which time they clean up the area on spring st., this will never happen. so, in retrospect we are saying to the people of hackettstown, wake up before you you are in the same situation, and it has started to happen already, right before your eyes, with decisions that you are making, banning a tatoo business, which is being run
accordingly correct. i might mention, since mke has been in hackettstown, for the past 11 years, we have visited him,and the various times, have spent a considerable amount of money in your beloved town. doing business with budd travel, hackettstown trading center for furniture, charlie brown and the tea room for eating, we feel that the merchants in hackettstown will truly suffer with your actions, and we then again, will have empty stores on main street in hackettstown. reconsider, your hurting the businesses, maybe your smarts aren't all that smart.
when people from various areas, are waiting 3 to 4 months to obtain appointments with michael, that should tell you something to the effect, he is doing everything right, while you seem to be doing everything wrong. reconsider, your the ones that have to live with yourselves.

betty & joe m February 26, 2008 12:49 pm | Link

betty & joe m, you should talk to mike because you obviously have the wrong info. Mike is moving into the old shutterbug ed's building smack on main st.. Did you know that?

no one should be saying anything especially if its on behalf of mike himself. Go to first place and talk to him and then you will realize and understand why hes upset. First Place is not going anywhere. Its the heat behind the subject and ban, the underlining B.S. The tattoo shop was obviously attacked indirectly. BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. The mayor.. the council and anyone else can try to push him out of his new building. But mike is not going down without any kind of fight. Face it.

It is absolutely ridiculous to ban a business from Htown. First Place has been above Sunrise for as long as I have lived in Hackettstown. And other than the fact that the entrance is on the side street, and the parking area for Sunrise, in my opinion, First Place has always been a Main Street staple.

This mayor needs to understand that Tattoos don't necessarily mean bad kids / people. I'm a IT professional, working in Midtown Manhattan with a windowed office overseeing Fashion Avenue, and I have ink. Lots of it according to some, not enough according to me :).

All this Mayor is doing as far as I'm concerned is pissing me off.

David K Butt February 26, 2008 2:14 pm | Link

Being that First Place Tattoo is moving, isn't this kind of beating a dead horse. Good luck in your new location.

I'm pretty sure everyone here understands they are not banning First Place directly.

But by passing a piece of legislature that bans Tattoo Parlors in general, they basically are indirectly banning First Place.

Again, my opinion is the fact that First Place is simply moving from one area of Main St, to another.

They should be able to do whatever they want because they are law abiding citizens. Their business brings together a community of people that would otherwise be doing business elsewhere.

I guess they don't understand that the people (myself included) that visit First Place Tattoos also spend time and money in other businesses in the area. A lot of Mike's customers are from out of town. Talk dollars and cents (or sense for that matter) to these guys and maybe they will understand the repercussions of their actions.

David K Butt February 26, 2008 3:06 pm | Link

This is absurd! If anything the building First Place is in could use some improvement, but otherwise there is nothing wrong with such a business being in the middle of a quaint downtown. There are several tattoo places in the downtowns of Montclair, Morristown, and even Georgetown in Washington DC.

The owner is a very talented artist and a polite respectable guy.

I am a 31 year old professional. I will be in the market for a house in the next couple of years, I was considering staying in Hackettstown, but after news like this, I'd prefer not to live in a town with a puritan Mayor.

A friend of mine went to First Place to have a tattoo covered up. Afterwards she went shopping on Main Street and I met her for dinner at Charlie Browns. First Place brings revenue to other Hackettstown businesses.

Why not do something about the fact that the High School has a reputation for being full of drugs? I grew up 50 miles from here and I knew Hackettstown as "heroin high". Or the fact that there are two Rite Aid's across the street from each other!!

It's a shame that when there are so many other things in town that need improvement, the Mayor and Council are concentrating on something as frivolous as this. They should be ashamed of themselves.

They may not be banning First Place specifically -- but the fact that our town government has made tattoo parlors a target is very much a concern. Maybe they acquiesce and back off but will they jerk First Place around on every little issue and nickel and dime them out of town?

I spent many thousands of dollars in fees to open a business in a building I already owned and no one ever outright said they didn't want my business in town. I can't imagine what it would have cost me if they didn't want the business here.

Dolly February 26, 2008 4:02 pm | Link

What is the point of banning a tattoo parlor? If people want to get inked, they will go wherever they have to. Why put a respectable parlor out of business and open up the opportunity for people to go to a place of less quality? I have had two tattoos done at First Place myself and I know many people who have. It is a solid business that does not deserve to be discriminated.

Alysse February 27, 2008 12:23 am | Link

how long has first place been around?

oh okay... now we have the right to kick them out because we dont want them off mainstreet? its not even like the shop is ON the mainstreet, the entrance is on a side street. If hackettstown wants to do something productive, how about we leave First Place alone, it had become facited in history- and attack the rotten buildings further down on mainstreet. Please, they are aweful. ORRRR someone can investigate the pet shop that has a million dogs and smells like death when you walk in. Thats a great place to have to make your town look nice, an unsanitary horribly kept smelly shop that no one goes too.

oh and psychics are totally witches, so get rid of that too. oh and im not religious so you can do away with the church...

see how rediculious this is?

oh and you know what else... america is FAT. fast food lane there... we can do away with that too...

please. there are many other things that hackettstown needs, why take away something that so many people are proud of.

While I enjoy the fact that the mayor realizes there are areas of concern regarding the "image of Main St" and wants to improve the town in which we all love, I agree that it is foolish to label tattooing as a "deviant" industry and something that would be a detriment to this cause. I am glad that First Place will not be restricted or included in this new proposed town legislation due to the grandfather clause. Worst case scenario would be if this did pass through at least he wouldn't have a competitive shop moving across the street or something :-)

Many life-long residence and I have discussed the changes to the Main Street area over the past 10 years. The unilateral opinions and my own as well all seem to feel that a) this was an area that was much safer before the recent growth this town has seen and b) it has ALWAYS been EXTREMELY difficult to find buisnesses that are able to suceed in these storefronts. I'll expand on the second point.

First Place is an exception that has a proven record of attracting revenue to Hackettstown and being able to sustain their existance here for YEARS. I challenge each of you to recall how many other stores, regardless of type of business that they run, have moved in and moved right back out or went out of business altogether not being able to survive. The mere fact that they have suceeded as well as they have financially nor have a negative police involvement should be celebrated and built on. Our Main Street is too tough for the small buisness owner more times than not to make it. Statistics show that check cashing and massage pallours attract crimes. Go to East Blackwell Street Dover for a local example. A thriving tattoo pallor with an excellent reputation should be encouraged for the diversity they bring to the flavor of Main Street. There haven't been negative impacts from this example-First Place has run a solid establishment, to believe that additional shops would attract crime have not been proven. I'd personally rather see lots of cute and unique businesses make it here. DIVERSITY is the only way to attract the people and dollars to this area of our town, so that we could attempt to have an atmosphere of abundant commerce similar to Chester or New Hope.