Howell County News/ Amanda Mendez

Ink on Main

The paper came down from the windows of the storefront last week, piquing public interest about the new business opening at the 4-way stop in downtown Willow Springs. Dew Family Originals officially opened its doors on June 15. 
Howell County News toured the tattoo, piercing, and art studio on June 10 with the artist and patriarch of the family, Skooby Dew. The family has clearly been hard at work on the interior of the store. An outer space pattern is painted on the floor and a private room stands fitted and ready for tattoo and piercing customers. Dew said passersby have seemed very curious since the windows have been uncovered. About 50 people have stopped by, he said. 
The shop will offer tattoo and piercing as well as 3D printing, laser etching, wood working, sign painting, and custom artwork. Originally apprenticed in Okinawa, Japan, Dew reported he has 22 years of experience as a tattoo artist and 26 years of experience as a piercer. 
“I can [tattoo] whatever is on your brain,” he said, “That’s why there’s not a lot of examples on the walls. I draw from ideas. I draw on skin.”
The Dew family fell in love with the Main Street space when they first drove through town and hoped to open a tattoo shop there from day one. Audra Campbell, Dew’s wife, is originally from Utah, and Dew is an Air Force veteran from North Carolina. Together, they have three daughters. 
Their hope is that their business will bring value and commerce to downtown and keep money in Willow Springs, since tattoo customers will no longer have to leave the city to find professional work. Dew said he already has two appointments from returning customers who live out-of-state scheduled as soon as the shop opens. 
To anyone who may have reservations about the presence of a tattoo shop downtown, Dew says, “Just come in and talk to me. You’ll see I’m not one of ‘those’ tattoo artists. I guarantee my tattoo work...I charge the same now as I did when I started 22 years ago.”
The shop passed a Health Department inspection on June 8. 
Dew Family Originals is located at 126 E. Main in downtown Willow Springs. The artist’s portfolio of work is available on Facebook under the name, “Tattoo Skooby.”

Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

Comment Here