Here is the original posting from this morning:
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Turner,Kathleen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: July 8, 2004 10:17:24 AM EDT To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [UC] Zoning Variance for Tattoo Parlor Reply-To: "Turner,Kathleen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I'm one of two regular participants who live on this block of Pine. I have seen this storefront go through several uses -- when I moved to the block, it was a lovely little African imports/jewelry store owned and operated by a woman who lived on the block. For a VERY short time it operated as a little grocery store; I suspect their entire sales volume consisted of my son buying popsicles. It is definitely one of those small commercial spaces in which it is difficult to maintain a viable business.
The Tattoo parlor has been in place for more than 6 years ago, and while many of us were not thrilled when they moved in, they really haven't been bad neighbors. The store is very clean, and well maintained both inside and out (friends who know more about the tattoo-world tell me that the store has a very high reputation in the city for professionalism and hygiene practices). My only complaint about the clientele are those who leave their children outside or in parked cars for extended periods of time while they get tattooed (I'm afraid I just can't understand how the urgency of needing a new tattoo would necessitate leaving your children stranded, but let's not go there . . .). Much of the clientele is really no different from that attracted by Colonial Pizza, which is right next door,
i.e., typical W. Phila. mix including a lot of cops. Yes, their staff and clientele do contribute to the chronic shortage of parking many evenings, but again so do the staff and customers of Colonial and I can't imagine anyone in the neighborhood would want to close them down!
As for the issue of children passing it on a daily basis, I've never had reason to be concerned about my children walking by -- in fact, it has always been my belief that businesses that are open late in the evening (especially those that attract a large police clientele!) contribute enormously to the safety of pedestrians after dark. And, just as a note, the owners of Everlasting Art have been very generous in contributing to the De Sales school walkathon and other neighborhood organizations.
I do understand that an unregulated business of this sort could be detrimental, but with tattooing having become almost "mainstream" now, I wouldn't automatically assume that a well-managed store would be a problem.
Kathleen
4300 block of Pine
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 9:34 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] Zoning Variance for Tattoo Parlor
We feel strongly that a Tattoo Parlor will not be a positive addition to Cedar Park.
it's funny, but the tattoo parlor at 43rd and pine has never been a problem to anybody.
i lived across the street from it for two years (1998-2000) and a block
away from it for another year (2002-2003). it seems to be a good
neighbor. the exterior is well-lit and cleanly maintained, and trash is
properly disposed of. most importantly, it fills in a retail space that i
think would be difficult to fill with any other business.
(perhaps other people who live on the block would disagree. i think
there's a participant on this list that lives on the same block of pine,
and i'd be curious to hear her opinion.)
I sincerely appreciate your help in opposing this variance.
would you prefer this storefront on 47th street remain vacant for yet
another year? from my observations over 6 years, it seems like this
retail spot has been a difficult space to rent. certainly, tattoo
businesses hold a certain stigma, but i feel an empty storefront is more
detrimental to any neighborhood.
mark
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- Andrew Diller - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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