After years of working as tattoo artist in State College, Gabreille Yunis is ready to open up shop in Bellefonte. But, it first took an amendment to a zoning ordinance to make the tattoo studio a reality.
Bellefonte zoning law had not allowed “adult use” businesses to open in town since it joined the Nittany Valley Joint Planning Commission in the early 2000s, said planning officer Shannon Wright. The old interpretation of “adult use” was vague, but included any business that served clients only 18 years and older, so this included tattoo studios, said Wright.
Bellefonte now has revised that ordinance, so tattoo shops are allowed in the central business district and the prohibited “adult use” designation now refers only to businesses sexual in nature, according to Wright.
This paves the way for Yunis to open her shop at 203 W. High St. in late May or early June. She is excited to bring something new to Bellefonte.
“I think this will be a great thing for the community, and help Bellefonte become somewhat of more of a destination to visit, and add to the positive growth in the town,” said Yunis. ‘Bellefonte has some cool things going on right now, so hopefully this keeps the momentum moving forward.”
Yunis said tattoos have become more mainstream and a part of popular culture, and there has been quite a change from the ideas people used to have about the shops. She said it’s interesting that something that was seen as an unwanted is now seen as positive addition to the community.
“As tattoos have become a larger part of culture, I think people can see it as a form of art,” said Yunis.
A Penn State graduate who studied art history and photography, Yunis started doing tattoo art while working at Evolution Tattoo Studio in State College.
“I worked as an apprentice to the owner and really learned a lot there. Now I have his blessing and opportunity to open up my own space, and it think it is going to be a good step.”
Being close to State College will help Yunis keep the clients she made through her work at Evolution. The fact that Bellefonte is close to other towns such as Lock Haven made it a perfect spot for her business.
Now that she also has the town’s blessing, she is getting her studio set up. She is still deciding on a name for the shop and is not set on her hours yet. But, she will be the only artist working out of the shop, so she is thinking she will be open for appointments about 35 hours a week. Yunis hopes to have a grand opening Friday, June 1, but is still working out the details.
