Matt Reynaud at Melfort Tattoo Shop saw a busier summertime season than in previous years, despite operating during the coronavirus pandemic. (submitted photo/Ally Dmytrow)

By Aaron Schulze

Tattoos in a Pandemic World

Tattoo artist experiences busier summer despite coronavirus pandemic

Sep 18, 2020 | 5:24 PM

The effects of COVID-19 may not have been as permanent on tattoo businesses as the paint itself.

Tattoo parlours re-opened on June 8 amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the near three-month wait appeared to make patrons more eager.

“Generally, with my tattoo shop the summertime is busy season,” Melfort Tattoo Shop Owner Matt Reynaud told northeastNOW. “It’s not uncommon you’d be flooded and have a wait list, but after [shutdown] I guess everyone was waiting to get tattooed. As soon as the books opened, everyone flooded for the door.”

Because a tattoo artist’s craft deals with a person’s blood, Reynaud said sanitizing precautions are already heavily in place for his shop. The only differences he’s seen in a pandemic world are mask wearing and secondary precautions such as cleaning stations for patrons.

Reynaud added his nephew works at a tattoo parlour in Calgary and he also remained busy during summertime.

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It’s unsure whether the post-shutdown boom will continue for Melfort Tattoo Shop, although Reynaud wouldn’t be surprised if autumn and winter are busier than in previous years.

“In the wintertime, we don’t do as many bulk or volume, but we do larger pieces,” he said. “If people are going to get a back piece, that’s generally when they’re going to do it. This year, there are so many people that are probably going to be stuck at home and have holiday money that will probably sit on the counter because they can’t get across to Mexico. I’m hoping some of those people will spend some of that money local. At the least I hope we’ll be able to carry on through.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow