A local tattoo and piercing parlor is closing its doors after sharing its sought-after designs for decades.
Tiger Rose Tattoo has been at the iconic colorful building on the corner of S Dolliver Street and Hinds Avenue for nearly two decades.
However, you won’t see another Tiger Rose Tattoo or any new tattoo shops in Pismo Beach because a city rule doesn’t allow businesses like these to expand or relocate.
After nearly 20 years in its location at 590 Dolliver st. In Pismo Beach, Tiger Rose is being forced to close its…
Posted by Tiger Rose Tattoo & Piercing on Thursday, April 11, 2019
Over the last couple of weeks, artists at Tiger Rose Tattoo say they have been busy.
People are rushing to get last-minute body art and touch-ups at their favorite tattoo parlor.
“It’s like a party every day, everyone getting together and reminiscing on good times because there are a lot of good times at the shop,” said Chuy Valenzuela, owner of Tiger Rose Tattoo.
Valenzuela is facing eviction and a Pismo Beach moratorium won’t allow the shop to open or expand elsewhere in the city.
The moratorium, or temporary ban, was passed by the city council in December of 2017.
It prevents the following types of businesses from opening, switching ownership, expanding or relocating:
- tattoo parlors
- massage establishments
- pawn shops
- resale shops
- smoke shops
- check cashing/payday loan businesses
- bail bond businesses
- gold and silver exchange stores
- tire sales and repair establishments
- blood/plasma sale centers
The city says the goal is to limit the number of these types of businesses.
“Part of it was the over concentration of personal services establishments in the downtown,” said Jorge Garcia, a spokesperson for the city of Pismo Beach. “City council wanted to take a comprehensive look at the concentration of businesses in any one area and find out where the most appropriate location would be.”
The rule also applies to resale shops like Pismo Pickers Antiques and Collectibles.
The owner says it would be better to have more stores like hers.
“If you are a junker or a picker, you want to go where there are several of them, not just one,” said Rhonda O’dell, owner of Pismo Pickers Antiques and Collectibles.
Valenzuela hopes that as his shop doors close, another will open, but for now, the good times at Tiger Rose will be tattooed on their hearts.
“I’m not complaining, it’s just time to get Tiger Rose going in another area and make it bigger and better than what it is now,” said Valenzuela.
This temporary ban expires in December, so the city council will likely revisit it to change it or make it a permanent ordinance.
Tiger Rose is looking to relocate to San Luis Obispo or Grover Beach.
They expect their last day in Pismo Beach to be Friday, April 26.
