A change in an old city ordinance means downtown Kinston will soon have its first tattoo shop.
During last month's City Council meeting, Councilman Chris Suggs says they received a request to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to allow tattoo parlors to operate downtown.
They were prohibited from operating in the 27-block downtown area and he said Kinston has not had a tattoo parlor operate within the city limit for years.
After careful consideration, Suggs said the council approved the request and approved a special use permit for Brandon Corey to operate a tattoo parlor at 111 North Queen Street.
Suggs said Kinston is positioning itself as an arts & cultural destination in Eastern North Carolina, and tattooing is one of many artistic forms of cultural expression.
You can like House of ink on Facebook to learn more about their business and follow along as they prepare to open.