Plans to to establish a tattoo studio at 530 Kedzie St. are scheduled to be reviewed by Evanston’s Land Use Commission Wednesday night.
David Libert of Sweetheart Inc Co. wants to set up what apparently would be Evanston’s only tattoo parlor in a retail lofts space in the AMLI Evanston building.
The storefront would have room for three tattoo artists to work on the ground floor and would have living space for Libert on the second floor.
City staff is proposing that operating hours be limited to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and that all applicable federal, state and local licensing, certification, training and inspection requirements for the business and its employees be followed.
Staff is recommending approval of the special use.
In his application, Libert says “tattoo studios often contribute to the cultural vibrancy of a neighborhood by fostering creativity and artistic expression.”
He says he graduated from Columbia College Chicago with an interdisciplinary degree in illustration and graphic design, specializing in concept art for video games and movies, and has been working as a tattoo artist for the past six years.
Update 8:30 p.m. 3/27/24:
After hearing testimony from tattoo artist David Liebert Wednesday evening, and noting that no one had appeared at the meeting to object to the proposal, the Land Use Commission voted 8-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the special use request.