Nashville tattoo artist wants to open before other nonessential businesses

NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — As businesses across the state begin to reopen many nonessential businesses in Nashville are still closed, and some are wondering when it’ll be their turn.

One Drop Ink Tattoo Parlour and Gallery has been without a customer for nearly two months.

Owner, Elisheba Israel Mrozik says they’ve been in business for nine years, and like many others, this year has been the hardest. She says they’ve applied for state and federal assistance but are still waiting on an answer.

Mrozik says the shop has done everything to keep the artist and clients safe from passing health inspections to being certified in blood born pathogens.

“Our shop being in the tattoo in, obviously has very high cleaning standards that are up there with medical facilities,” said Mrozik who believes tattoo parlors should be open sooner rather than later.

“It’s very disappointing that we are not in phase one, as of right now,” said Mrozik.

Mayor John Cooper has Nashville tattoo shops opening in Phase 2 and must limit the total number of patrons and staff to under 10, and no walk ins.

While Governor Bill Lee has them opening at the end of May for 89 counties, Mrozik says she wants to and will follow all city guidelines to reopen she just wants to remind the government that many tattoo shops were already doing so.

“We already had in stock many items because we use them everyday again, gloves, masks, barriers, and hospital grade cleaning products,” Mrozik said, “I just find that to be not right and I’m disappointed that we are not held in a higher regard then other businesses.”

Mrozik says she was just awarded a grant to help make ends meet Metro Arts recently re-opened funding for its THRIVE Grant for emergency funds. She designed a digital coloring book of images inspired by her personal work and Nashville.

Mrozik is working on getting printed copies made for children and adult without access to printers.