At this past Tuesday's City Council meeting, I took special note that Lloyd DeTienne was the lone vote against both the zoning text amendment, and special use permit to allow a tattoo parlor to set up shop on Lewis Ave. He offered no explanation for why opposed this particular business, so we can only speculate at his reason. Perhaps he will enlighten the public some time in the future.
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| A bit of seedier history in Chicago's River North - author's photo. |
If the reason was that he found the idea of a tattoo parlor in Zion to be inappropriate, or morally offensive in some way, his action was in marked contrast to what occurred later in the same meeting.
One of the last items on the agenda was a request from the owners of the Dungeon of Doom haunted house. After discussion with Finance Director David Knable, the owners approached the Council to gauge their reaction to a proposed deal on entertainment taxes that would give them incentive to invest a half-million dollars to purchase a building near their current location, and expand their business.
For those who may not be aware of the history, when the Dungeon of Doom was first proposed some three years ago there were a number of objections from some citizens, based on their moral and religious beliefs. Others raised concerns about traffic problems, or the potential for disruptive behavior.
In the discussion at this meeting, it was noted that none of these concerns had come to pass, and that the Dungeon has become a major revenue generator for the City, and other businesses. The proprietors have been engaged with the community, and have donated to local charities. In other words, they have become the type of acceptable business that we want to have in our city. With those facts in consideration, the council indicated that they would be open to the proposed arrangement. Altogether, a win-win for everyone concerned.
Which leads me back to the question of the tattoo parlor, and to ask whether by it's very nature is it an unacceptable business?
Historically, tattoo parlors were restricted to "red light" districts that catered to those seeking entertainment involving sex, booze, or drugs in any combination. A world that usually operated on the edge of, or outside the law, and often encompassed pawn shops, circus sideshows, and haunted houses.
A past that is exemplified by the sign in photo above, which I took on Clark Street in the Courthouse District of Chicago. The building, which had until recently hosted an adult bookstore was being rehabbed, revealing an even older incarnation as a strip club, when the neighborhood was truly "red light". Today the area is filled with high-end restaurants, pricey condos, and office towers.
But, cultural norms have shifted in the last thirty years, and a practice that was once only the province of sailors, bikers, and gangsters has become commonplace. Skin art, has become an accepted form of personal expression, and style at all levels of society. Of course, part of the appeal is the patina of being an "outlaw", being just a little more sexy, or outrageous for having one.
Images of butterflies and Hello Kitty not withstanding.
In the end, I think what makes a business acceptable depends not so much on what they do, but in the behavior of the owners and the employees. If they provide goods and services in a friendly manner with honesty and integrity, then I think they become an acceptable addition to our business community. I hope the owners of this new venture in our city operate in that manner, and may they have much success.
If you, having read this want to share your thoughts on what is an acceptable business, put them into the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.
For those who may not be aware of the history, when the Dungeon of Doom was first proposed some three years ago there were a number of objections from some citizens, based on their moral and religious beliefs. Others raised concerns about traffic problems, or the potential for disruptive behavior.
In the discussion at this meeting, it was noted that none of these concerns had come to pass, and that the Dungeon has become a major revenue generator for the City, and other businesses. The proprietors have been engaged with the community, and have donated to local charities. In other words, they have become the type of acceptable business that we want to have in our city. With those facts in consideration, the council indicated that they would be open to the proposed arrangement. Altogether, a win-win for everyone concerned.
Which leads me back to the question of the tattoo parlor, and to ask whether by it's very nature is it an unacceptable business?
Historically, tattoo parlors were restricted to "red light" districts that catered to those seeking entertainment involving sex, booze, or drugs in any combination. A world that usually operated on the edge of, or outside the law, and often encompassed pawn shops, circus sideshows, and haunted houses.
A past that is exemplified by the sign in photo above, which I took on Clark Street in the Courthouse District of Chicago. The building, which had until recently hosted an adult bookstore was being rehabbed, revealing an even older incarnation as a strip club, when the neighborhood was truly "red light". Today the area is filled with high-end restaurants, pricey condos, and office towers.
But, cultural norms have shifted in the last thirty years, and a practice that was once only the province of sailors, bikers, and gangsters has become commonplace. Skin art, has become an accepted form of personal expression, and style at all levels of society. Of course, part of the appeal is the patina of being an "outlaw", being just a little more sexy, or outrageous for having one.
Images of butterflies and Hello Kitty not withstanding.
In the end, I think what makes a business acceptable depends not so much on what they do, but in the behavior of the owners and the employees. If they provide goods and services in a friendly manner with honesty and integrity, then I think they become an acceptable addition to our business community. I hope the owners of this new venture in our city operate in that manner, and may they have much success.
If you, having read this want to share your thoughts on what is an acceptable business, put them into the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.
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