Father-and-son tattoo shop combines artistry with quality


About the business:

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Appointments and walk-ins.

Address: 1555a E. Ohio 73 at the intersection with Ohio 48 in Clearcreek Twp.

Services: Tattoos, body piercings

Contact information: Call (513) 855-4289.

Eugene Isaacs had lived his entire life — including service in Vietnam — without even considering getting a tattoo. Then he saw the work his son, Eric Isaacs, could do.

Now not only is Eugene Isaacs plotting his first “inking,” but he’s started a business with his son to let Eric’s artistic skills shine.

“I was just watching him design stuff and knew he and his wife really knew a lot about tattoos,” Eugene Isaacs said. “I just figured we shouldn’t let that talent go to waste.”

The Isaacs — father and son — have opened the Monster Inkk Tattoo Parlor in Clearcreek Twp. (The second “k” in Inkk is intentional as a way to make the name stand out, Eric said).

“Tattoos can sell themselves if you’re good,” Eric Isaacs said. “We offer nice people in a clean friendly and nice environment. We’ve got a great staff willing to work with customers in any possible way so they get the tattoo they want.”

The parlor currently staffs three tattoo artists — Eric Isaacs, Andrew Pugh and Nate O’Connor.

Eric Isaacs has been a tattoo artist since the time he was 18, or approximately half his life (He’s 35 now). He mostly recently worked at a tattoo parlor in Maineville.

“Our goal is that when you get home, you look in the mirror and are psyched about what you see,” Eric said. “This is a statement you are making that will be with you for the rest of your life. We understand the responsibility that comes with such a decision.”

Eugene says their parlour will soon become known beyond Warren County for the quality of its work.

“This isn’t just a father talking when I say my son has the potential to be one of the best tattoo artists out there,” Eugene said.

Eric’s passion is such that dad Eugene said he’s finally ready to sit back in one of the parlour’s comfy chairs and let Eric go to work.

“I’ve been looking into what to get,” Eugene Isaacs said. “I’d like some sort of Native American design on my arm.”

Eric said the most popular tattoo’s remain tribal designs on biceps and shoulders.

“The most unusual tattoo I’ve ever done was a woman who had this huge design that covered basically her whole body,” Eric said. “It was pretty extreme, but I thought it looked good in the end and she loved it.”

Eric said many people often get one tattoo and then develop “the itch” for more.

“It varies by person — some people get one and they love it but that’s all they need. Others get a first one and then they can’t wait to get more.”

Monster Inkk can also perform body piercings. The shop is open to walk-ins but appointments can be made to reserve a time and artist.

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