Hermosa Tattoo Co. opens for business

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Hermosa Tattoo Co. opens for business
December 10, 2010
By Douglas Morino
dailybreeze.com


Johnny Anderson celebrated his recent landmark legal victory by doing what he does best: Putting ink to skin.

And with the sounds of Delta blues echoing from a portable radio and a tattoo gun buzzing in the background, Anderson took a seat in a bare room of his new studio on Friday and went to work.

"I never thought this would happen," he said from his new shop, The Hermosa Tattoo Co. "It's good vindication for tattoos."

Pressed by a recent ruling from a federal appeals court, the Hermosa Beach City Council in November approved a zoning ordinance allowing tattoo parlors and piercing studios to operate in the beach town, paving the way for Anderson to open the small, second-story studio in Pier Plaza.

The council's decision came six weeks after a ruling by the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found the city's tattoo ban was unconstitutional and that permanent displays of body ink are a form of artistic expression protected by First Amendment free speech rights.

Anderson, a 34-year-old married father of three, said he almost agreed to a settlement with Hermosa Beach two years ago before deciding to continue the lawsuit. He filed a similar suit against the city of Torrance in 2004. The city settled with Anderson two years later for $50,000.

"We could have used the money," Anderson said. "When you become a father, your priorities change. We had two children and my wife was pregnant. We thought it would have been helpful with the mortgage."

The case and the court's landmark ruling received much fanfare, including attention from media outlets across the country.

"I'm still amazed people cared about it," said Anderson, his own arms covered in colorful displays of permanent ink. "For some people it's a real hotbed. It's a sign of the times, people really like tattoos."

The ruling mandates that all cities currently prohibiting tattoo parlors - including Torrance, Hawthorne and Manhattan Beach - must allow them to operate.

Anderson first sued Hermosa Beach in 2006, arguing that because the city's zoning code had effectively banned tattoo parlors, his right to free expression had been violated. He did not seek any damages in the case. Hermosa Beach officials fought the proposal by arguing that allowing the studios to operate would be a direct threat to public health.

City officials okayed the opening of Anderson's studio late Thursday after he obtained necessary permits from the city and county Department of Public Health.

Michael Frilot, 41, a detective with the Hermosa Beach Police Department, instantly - and perhaps unknowingly - secured his place in local history Friday by receiving the first legal tattoo in Hermosa Beach.

"Tattooing is definitely an art form," said Frilot, a client of Anderson's for two years who was getting a tattoo on his left arm - hands cusped in prayer - filled in with ink.

"Johnny is a longtime resident and fixture in the community. He's definitely among the best artists in the South Bay. He's going to do some good business here."