08/12/2020
Hey everyone! We’re not even sure how to start this.
On Monday afternoon, while we were working on clients, the heavy winds tore off the roof and it soon started to rain in the studio. Shortly after, it smelled like gas and chunks of our ceiling started to make their way down. We were able to get ourselves and our clients to a safer area in the studio and then we evacuated when even that area started coming down, too.
The last 48 hours have been (no pun intended) a tornado of emotions. We can’t thank anyone enough for the outpour of support, whether it be in the form of a donation, a share, a kind memory, speaking highly of the studio, the INSANE amount of people that have offered to come out and clean. If we haven’t gotten back to you, please don’t think you’ve gone unnoticed. This shop meant the world to us and was home to many of us. There’s a lot to process, even more to mourn and at some point, we have to move forward with the heavy boulder of grief and uncertainty on our collective chest.
We’re thankful that all crew members and clients are physically safe, we know that things can and will be replaced, but the path between now and rebuilding is long, winding and like anything else in 2020- more than likely not going to go smoothly. With that being said, a lot of our crew members are without work right now and have to relocate because by order of the city, the studio is uninhabitable. None of us were able to get unemployment/PUA or a stimulus during quarantine and this shop is all we had. A friend of ours, Gregory, made a GoFundMe to cover the crews lost income while we relocate/find employment or guest at other studios/who even knows from here? Please consider donating if you’re able, boost if you’d like. The link is available in the comments!
We can’t emphasize how much our clients and their love and support means. This isn’t a goodbye, just a see you later 🖤 @ Native Rituals Tattoo and Party Emporium