A quick glance through any issue of The Stranger reveals that purveyors of the fine art of tattooing have long been our most passionate and pervasive advertisers. Selecting a "winner" from the beloved many was a fool's errand, but we forced ourselves to run it, with our favor finally falling on the legendary Slave to the Needle.
Established in late '94 and owned by Aaron and Melissa Bell, Slave to the Needle was the first tattoo shop to advertise in The Stranger. Aaron has won over 45 awards for his tattoo artistry, and his $300 minimum charge assures you'll be getting a genuine piece of art that will last the rest of your life. Each week, Slave to the Needle's ad shows off the shop's handiwork, and Melissa is proud to admit that she's clipped and saved each and every one of them. Fans of Slave to the Needle love the ads, too, says Melissa: "We have clients come in and say they check the ads every week to see the new tattoos.
Runners-Up:
ANCHOR TATTOO 5317 Ballard Ave NW
LAUGHING BUDDHA TATTOO 219 Broadway Ave E
SUPERSTAR TATTOO 1017 E Pike St
APOCALYPSE TATTOO 1556 E Olive Way
PRIMEVAL INK 10261 16th Ave SW
MIND'S EYE TATTOO 5206 University Way NE
ARTCORE STUDIOS TATTOO 5501 Airport Way S
CUSTOM TATTOO 513 N 36th St
COLLIN OWNESBY TATTOOIST 79 S Main St
MARK OF THE VAMPIRE TATTOOS 15712 First Ave S, Burien; 505 Central Ave N, Kent
