Walking into Tootsie’s feels like stepping into a funhouse.
Imagine a plush, green velvet loveseat adorned with a squid tentacle pillow, bubble-pop fidgets and cutesy bowls with KitKat bars for snacking. There’s a mural of a cowgirl riding a manatee and pictures of fantastical creatures adorning the brightly-colored walls. The employees have multicolored hair, whimsical haircuts and a fresh take on fashion.
But this isn’t “technically” a funhouse (though the artists might say that they’re happy to blur that line) – it’s a tattoo shop.
Tootsie’s Tattoos, which celebrates its one-year anniversary Sept. 13, is a queer-founded tattoo parlor located at 4610 Central Ave N. It evolved out of neighboring shop, Artisan Ink, as a space exclusively for BIPOC and/or queer tattoo artists and merchants.
Kelsea Meadows, who owns both Artisan and Tootsie’s, talked about its founding with a smile: “We needed more space in general. Artisan is a little private tattoo studio, and there were like eight people working out there at one point, and it just became way too crowded. This spot opened up, and I jumped on it and just invited all the they/thems to come with me.”
There are nine artists currently at the shop, each with a unique style. The clientele is also “all over the board,” ranging from 18-year-olds getting their first tattoos to 65-year-old seasoned vets. The common thread is that everyone, no matter their identity markers, is welcome and safe at the shop.
“The act of creating a space for queer people to come and be tattooed feels really revolutionary for people, because there’s this stigma around tattoo shops where you walk in and it’s just kind of intimidating, and we have tried to kind of get rid of that,” explained Morganne Davis, a Tootsie’s artist.
In addition to creating a shop that’s radically inclusive, the impetus for Tootsie’s was also grounded in a desire to do more for the community through fundraisers and mutual aid work.
“But I think really, the founding of Tootsie’s is when Aaliyah Ratliff and I did a fundraiser for Trans Santa one year way back when we were still at Artisan,” Meadows elaborated, “and we just wanted to continue with that. So Tootsie’s was sort of born out of wanting to give back to the community and have a space that felt like we were free to do so.”
Tootsie’s has held multiple fundraisers and will host more events, including art shows and guest tattoo artist appearances. “We have our little resource board up front that has upcoming queer events for the community, whether it’s sober community or queer community, or just community in general, as well as if people are in need, that will also go on the board,” said Davis proudly.
“I think that stuff’s really important for people, just to be able to come here. Like, you know, ideally we would love to give you a tattoo, but if you just need a place to hang out for a minute, then you’re welcome here.”
Tootsie’s is inviting the public to hang out with them for a carnival-themed birthday bash Sept. 13. There will be $50 and $100 flash tattoos, raffles for free ink, food trucks and new merch for sale. All are welcome. For more information, visit the Instagram page: @tootsiestattoo.
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