Fairhope tattoo parlor forced to move after complaints

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - Second Act

After dealing with some unhappy neighbors, it's another grand opening for the Man 'O War Tattoo parlor in Fairhope. The shop is now just off Fairhope Ave.

Parlor owner Kevin Black said, "It's been challenging. Building two businesses within a year is a lot of work."

Fought city; neighbors complained

Black had to challenge the city to open his original location on Magnolia Avenue.

After months of fighting, he opened the shop in September 2012 right on the edge of downtown. It was the last business on the street before it became residential. According to Black's landlord, some of those residents weren't happy having a tattoo shop next door and threatened to take legal action.

With that threat, Black's landlord asked him to find a new location.

"The landlord and I agreed that I would move, " Black said. "He helped me out with the expenses that I had put into the place over there and we were able to put that into remodeling at this location."

As frustrating as the ordeal has been, Black says the move worked out. Artist Frank Thrasher had signed on as a partner and more room was needed anyway. Thrasher, who is originally from Fairhope, feels the community will support the business. 

"There's no reason not being happy doing what you do and if we get to do it with the support of the community that's even better," Thrasher told FOX10.

Ends well...

"As far as the landlord dealing with neighbors over there, I'm not privy to exactly what transpired but it worked out for us, it worked out for them, and everybody's got a better situation now," Black said.

Now, no residential neighbors live next door.

The shop opened Tuesday, January 22 and the owners hope to have a grand opening soon at their new location.