Hustle And Timing Bring Homewood Man's Tattoo Studio To Town

HOMEWOOD, IL — It's been a long time coming, but Bob Garrity said it's better later, than never.

Garrity last week breathed a sigh of relief, as Homewood officials signed off on a special use permit enabling him to bring his longtime tattoo studio to the place he's lived his entire life.

Ink-N-Um will soon become part of the place that's played such a big part in its owner's world.

"... to have this come full circle, it’s just good timing," Garrity told Patch. "It’s hard to move out of an old business, relocate, and you’re 50 years old. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it’s what I’ve always wanted."

Garrity grew up in Homewood, a graduate of District 153 and Homewood-Flossmoor High School. He began tattooing after graduation, first working alongisde the owner of Roy Boy Tattoos in Gary, Indiana—where other studiomates included a live tiger (yes, really). He went on to open his own studio in Calumet City, where he operated for nearly three decades before issues arose over the building owner's tax delinquency and business licensing.

But he ended up right where he wanted to be, all along.

"It’s exciting for myself, my family," Garrity said. "I’m close to home, which is great. I’m in a community that actually wants me here."

When it became clear that his Calumet City studio was in jeopardy, Garrity started looking closer to home, which came with its own hurdles. Garrity was looking at space at 18661 Dixie Highway, the zoning for which did not initially accommodate a tattoo studio.

The property was formerly zoned as the B-2 district of Homewood, officials said. In January 2023, Homewood adopted an updated zoning ordinance and map. The previous zoning ordinance was enacted in 2002 and the majority of the code had not been revised since. There have been many changes in land use, economy and the law since 2002, so the Village engaged a consulting firm to perform a comprehensive update of the zoning ordinance, officials said.

The Southgate commercial building was previously zoned B-1 and B-2 but, due to the comprehensive amendment, is now rezoned to B-3, permitting tattoo studios in the space with a case-by-case review to assess the suitability of the proposed use to a specific site and consider the potential impact on neighboring properties.

Ink-N-Um will become the second tattoo studio in Homewood.

"I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time," said Garrity. "Supporting my community and my family is very important to me and I am very excited for this moment in my life."

Prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held on Sept. 14, 2023, the commission received more than 50 emails of support for Garrity’s tattoo business to relocate to Homewood.

"This is unusual, to say the least," the Village said in a release.

Garrity was proud and excited to hear the amount of support he'd received.

"The support from everybody—we set records on the amount of emails sent in," he said, laughing. "People were very supportive, excited. I think they know how long I’ve wanted to open up here. Everybody was happy—I’m happy."

At the meeting, approximately 25 people were in the audience in visible and verbal support of Garrity and his tattoo business.

Garrity's artistry has already been woven into the town's tapestry, which paintings by his hand in the basement of Lassen's Tap, his work on the display at the H-F Ice Arena, and his sponsorships of local baseball teams.

As he approached the possibility of moving into the space, he was grateful that Village staff, "totally took me by the hand, made sure I knew the process.

"I kinda think people don’t know the process," he said. "I was obviously very excited that I had the opportunity, but I didn’t want to miss anything. You want to make sure you do it right."

Garrity said he's gained access to the space and is working now to "make it pretty." Friends are helping him move his shop and all its parts to the new space. Ideally, he'd be able to open by Halloween, but he's not sure if that's a realistic goal.

"We’re already in October," he said, of the timing, "but that’s OK—good things happen to those who wait.

"It’s a hustle, it’s been a process."

Garrity said he was encouraged by officials' reception to his effort to relocate to his home base.

"The Village, the mayor, everybody on the board—everybody, there really hasn’t been anything that was negative that I ran into," he said. "Tattoo shops still have a little stigma. That's something you've got to watch out for. Everybody was pretty open-minded about it, I think they knew how bad I wanted it.

"I bank here, I live here, it’s about time for me to have my business here. Should have happened a long time ago, but you stay positive, and good things happen."

Ink-N-Um Tattoo & Body Piercing will be located at 18661 Dixie Highway. They can be reached at the shop at (708)365-6246.