COVID-19 tattoos popular as parlours in North Bay enjoy strong demand after reopening
As we start to transition out of the pandemic, Don Brieuz, the shop manager at DeadCity Tattoo Company, says his clients are looking to get tattoos related to COVID-19.
"They come up with these cheeky little COVID tattoos that they want," Brieuz said. "It could be something small that means something to them."
After such a momentous time in history, he said his customers have many reasons why they want a COVID-related tattoo.
"Maybe they went through it, so they get something to remind them they went through it," Brieuz said. "When hospitals closed and they couldn’t see their loved ones, so there’s sometimes a tie between that."
The Ford government gave the green light for tattoo shops to re open on June 29, but DeadCity took the week to reschedule appointments, and didn’t welcome back clients until Wednesday.
"Our phones are always ringing. It’s been absolutely crazy -- we get blown away," said Brieuz. "For the last three weeks, I have been booking solid -- we’re up to 30 or 40 messages a day."
"People who missed their appointment, they’re our priority first, so we’re trying to book them first."
A few blocks over at Inklined Studios, owner Jennifer Saile told CTV News it’s the same story for her and her team. They’ve been booked solid with appointments since the day they were able to reopen.
"We’re very, very busy -- booked solid from the time we open to the time we close," Saile said.
"We have people calling asking if they can come in right now, but unfortunately with COVID, we can only work with appointments."
For Saile, a perk to owning a small business is creating her own hours. She said her team plans to operate on different hours if needed, to ensure they get in as many clients as possible each day.
"We can come in earlier in the morning, we can stay later at night, we can open every Saturday if we choose," she said. "They are artists, so we don’t want them to become tired, we want everyone to get their best work. But we can space our clients out the way we prefer, which gives us a lot of flexibility to accommodate everyone."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.