After almost 10 years of business as Slangin’ Ink Tattoos and Pool Hall, the Main Street tattoo parlor got a new name this past weekend: Black Mountain Tattoos.
Owner Robert Smith started the business around the age of 20. His interest in the tattoo industry grew out of his love for art and talent for drawing. He knew he wanted to transfer those skills into the niche trade, and since Cortez at the time had limited options for ink, Smith knew he could have the market cornered.
“I’ve always had an interest in art, and started experimenting with (tattoo) equipment,” said Smith. “The way into the industry is usually through apprenticeships, but at the time there was nothing around here.”
Smith honed his craft on friends, and in 2005 opened his own shop. The shop moved into its Main Street location, next to Blondie’s Tap Room, in 2010, and Smith says business has been great.
“We’ve really built our client base by doing quality work and being friendly,” said Smith. “I have a lot of regulars that come in, and new clients too.
The diminishing taboo about tattoos has also contributed in a wider range of clients walking through the door, he says.
“It’s definitely a lot more acceptable now which is great. I’ve tattooed everyone one from young people to 70-year-old ladies.”
As his shop’s 10th anniversary approaches, Smith wanted to go forward with a newer, sleeker, more grown-up name: Black Mountain Tattoos.
“I was 20 when I got into it, and I guess I thought that I grew out of that name,” he said with a laugh.
Black Mountain is at 43 E. Main St. in Cortez.