MCALESTER NEWS-CAPITAL (MCALESTER, Okla.)

MCALESTER, Okla. —

It’s been a dream since he got his first skull tattoo on his bicep 12 years ago.

Now, Bobby Moon said his dream’s come true.

And he’s ready to share that dream with the people of McAlester.

“I’ve always wanted to open a tattoo studio. So when the law passed in November, I started planning on it,” Moon said. “I just want to do quality work for the people of McAlester. I’ll go the extra mile for my customers.”

Though Oklahoma's law legalizing tattooing doesn't become effective until November, shops are springing up around the state.

Moon said appointments have been steady since Moon’s Tattoo, 600 N. Main, opened on June 23. Not only does he take appointments, but Moon also does his best to take same-day walk-in customers.

He said it’s important to him to cater to both.

“I want to be able to do a tattoo right when someone’s ready,” Moon said. “Some people want it right then. They want to get it done before they chicken out or lose their nerve.”

In fact, chickening out at Moon’s shop may mean a penalty fee. Flyers posted around the shop warn of a $35 “chicken-out fee.”

Customers who decide they don’t want a tattoo after the tattoo gun and supplies are already set up have to pay the fee.

“No one’s chickened out yet,” Moon said. “But I did have one girl who wanted cherries on her ankle, but she could only take one leaf.”

People are often reluctant to get tattoos because of health issues and concerns. Moon said his studio is “very sanitary,” and he’s doing his best to provide safe work.

“We use all disposable needles and tubes,” Moon said. “When I’m working I don’t touch anything that’s not wrapped in plastic. My machineheads, spray bottles even the table itself is wrapped in plastic. After every customer, we wipe everything down with Clorox solution.”

He said, as a whole, customers have seemed satisfied. One local woman has gotten tattooed in the shop six or seven times since it opened.

“I love it when a customer leaves satisfied,” Moon said. “That’s just about the best feeling in the world, when you can give some one something you know is going to be part of them for the rest of their lives and know that they like it.”