In the interest of full disclosure, I have a tattoo.  Inked on my left ribcage are the words, “The trick to flying is to throw yourself at the ground and miss,” a quote from A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  I attach a lot of personal significance to this phrase, and thanks to its discreet placement, it’s not the first thing people notice about me.  Still, getting a tattoo was not a decision I made lightly.  When the idea first struck me, I made a deal with myself – if I still wanted the same tattoo in a year’s time, then I would allow myself to get inked.  A year passed, and I wanted those words more than ever.  I was 19 at the time, and though my parents weren’t exactly pleased when they found out a year later, they agreed that I had given the decision the appropriate amount of forethought.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that tattoos are growing in popularity, perhaps even among professionals, though the courts have ruled that it’s not discriminatory for businesses to have policies against visible tattoos or body art.  Mark Pulliam, the owner of Cadillac Ink in Jefferson City, argued before the city council that tattoos were becoming more mainstream.  This, compared with Pulliam’s pain-staking research and unique business philosophy, are what ultimately helped overturn Jefferson City’s long-time ban.  The ban itself dates back to the 1970s, during an outbreak of hepatitis in nearby Fort Leonard Wood – not, as Pulliam is quick to point out, due to any sort of mayhem in the state capital.

I spent several hours at Cadillac Ink with Pulliam and tattoo artist Shawn Pope.  Pulliam, who has lived in Jefferson City for his entire life, cares a lot about the community.  He asks a customer who shares a surname with his middle school shop teacher if there’s any relation.  There isn’t, but it’s the little things that distinguish Cadillac Ink from your stereotypical tattoo parlor.  Pulliam says he expects competition, and soon.

You can visit Cadillac Ink or the web, on Facebook or in person at 301 Ash Street in Jefferson City.  You can also download a PDF of the revised tattoo ordinance.

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Elle Moxley produces Under the Microscope for KBIA-FM 91.3.