By Paige Turner
Nestled in an alley, in a small upstairs location, you’ll find The Poison Apple. If a person from far away were to drive through Hathian, they’d likely not notice it. And this little gem of a tattoo parlor, along with it’s people, wouldn’t have it any other way. They do not seek the spotlight nor wish to be center stage. They only care to produce their art. Like a barbershop that knows everyone and is a loved part of the community, they just keep on going even when everything else around them falls.
I recently caught up with Glenn Rose, who owns and manages the shop which actually is on it’s second life. She quiped during the interview: “Fun fact, this place got blown up once. We were in fact downstairs, but after the remodel we ended up in here.” The shop itself has a certain lived in persona to it. One steps through the front door and simply feels this history and comradery that goes on daily there. But don’t let that friendly air fool you. Glenn runs a tight business. All her artists are licensed, up to date on sterilization standards and have the talent to deliver the customer’s vision. “Anyone who comes here to work usually brings their portfolio and they’re not hired on the spot, everyone goes through a trial period. Even I did.” Nothing like a boss who can do what they’re expecting their staff to do. It’s easy to see why, despite the often times dangerous conditions surrounding them, she manages to keep the shop staffed. “Sometimes you see potential in a portfolio and sometimes you don’t – but in those cases I’ll take people on as an apprentice.” Note to those considering a career as a tattoo artist.
“All my artists are the best in their own and unique way and not one of them is the same. They’re equally important pieces of the puzzle. I recommend people come and try them out sometime.” I can be witness to that statement. As I sat with Glenn during the interview, I was in fact looking at the work from the past. Photos of customers sporting their just completed tattoos line the walls. The variety of artistic approaches and themes was impressive if not overwhelming. I saw the usual display of wolves, crosses and skulls. But there was so much more too. Unfortunately, Glenn’s favorite piece was not on display so, I may never know how it came out. “My favorite work is a big scarification piece I did some years ago. It’s not up on the walls here – but it definitely should be.”
As if she needed any more proof than the artwork lining the walls, another thing struck me during the interview. A gentleman by the name of Cyrus, one of the shops artists, was in attendance. He did not comment, but he didn’t need to. He was pencil drawing almost the entire interview and, the talent that shined through in his simple doodling was enough to convince me to plan for a touch up there myself. Not to mention, the way in which he and Glenn made inside joke exchanges with me there tells me, these are not just a boss and employee. They are friends. More so, they are family.
Like a barbershop. After taking a closer look at The Poison Apple, I can’t help but think that was the most appropriate part of this article. They’re a business yet a part of the community at the same time, come off more as family than staff and, well, if you visit them too (and I recommend you do, just as Glenn did) you’ll be the one on the confused side of inside jokes.
