New Tattoo Shop Opens in Cleveland Heights

Tattoo artist Leo Stewart spends time with his clients before he gets to work. 

When customers want their boyfriend or girlfriend’s name in permanent ink, he asks them questions about how serious they are.

He knows his art could last longer than their relationship.

“I’d rather you come back to me in 10 years than get tattoo from me and have someone else cover it up,” Leo said. “I tell people you have to be able to explain the tattoo to your grandkids — it’s got to be a good story.”

He and his wife, Mackenzie, a body piercer, want customers to feel at home at their new store, Gypsy Curse Tattoo, 1647 Lee Road.

Their business cards have their cellphone numbers on them so customers can call anytime with questions and concerns. The tattoo and piercing area won’t be hidden behind walls, unless the customer requests privacy.

They want to be part of the community that welcomed them so warmly.

The couple attempted to open shop elsewhere in the area, but other cities had strict rules and tattoo parlors weren’t classified like a beauty salon. 

“Richard Wong is my hero,” Mackenzie said of the planning and development director of Cleveland Heights. “City Hall was so helpful. They wanted our business and wanted us to be here.”

Wong said when Focused Tattoo Studio wanted to open in Coventry, the city realized how restrictive the guidelines are for tattoo shops, and how well the county health department regulates them.

The city visited the Focused store, which already had a location in Cleveland, to make sure they’d be a good business for Cleveland Heights, he said.

Wong said he wanted to help Mackenzie and Leo.

“I’m glad they chose Cleveland Heights — we’re grateful. They seem so nice, and maybe that will encourage customers to move here. They’re like our ambassadors,” Wong said. “Hopefully they’ll grow here and move here.” 

The Stewarts are from the Cleveland area, but lived in Portland, OR, for three years. They moved back home to be closer to family after they had their son, Murphy, who is 10 months old.

The 24-year-olds, who came back home less than two months ago, decided to open their own store rather than work for someone else. 

“Once you become a tattoo artist, that’s the only logical next step,” Leo said.

Between them, they have about 18 piercings and nearly 60 tattoos. Mackenzie has a wedding ring on her finger that she can never take off.

Leo has been tattooing on his own for more than four years and Mackenzie has been piercing for two, and she is currently learning how to work with ink. 

They are often asked why they have so much body art. 

"I thought it was so beautiful how you can change your body," Mackenzie said.

She had to wait until she was 18 until she could dye her hair, let alone get body piercings and tattoos.

"For me, stretching my ears or a piercing or a tattoo makes me feel better about myself, like how girls go to the gym or go tanning or get their nails done." 

Leo's mom took him for his first tattoo when he was 13 — a four-leaf clover on his behind so his dad wouldn't find out — and he knew he wanted to be an artist.

"It's like wearing your favorite shirt all the time," he said. 

Their shop will specialize in old-school images and designs, which include gypsy faces, an inspiration for the name. 

They eventually want to invite local artists to display their paintings, drawings, jewelry and share concert fliers from bands and musicians. 

"We're just hoping that we succeed and do well and get our name out there and show everyone what we can do," Mackenzie said. "We want to make everyone feel like they are at home." 

Gypsy Curse Tattoo, 1647 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights; 216-712-2142 (Leo) and 440-714-3027 (Mackenzie). Open Mon. - Sat. noon to 10 p.m., closed Sun.