Artists Devin Stacey and David Tombu run a tattoo shop that allows them to be dads first. This is obvious both from their business name — Dad’s Tattoo Company, and their studio space that has a sizable nook filled with video games, books and drawing supplies for kids.
Stacey, a dad to nine-year-old and five-year-old girls, and Tombu, who has a 12-year-old daughter, bonded over being dads when they first met seven years ago, at Stacey’s tattoo shop in Gastown, Vancouver. New West resident Tombu, who was living in Montreal at that time, used to work as a guest artist at Stacey’s.
“He (Tombu) had a five year old, and I had just had my first daughter. So we kind of hit it off really well because I was trying to get dad advice from him at that point as I was a new dad,” recollected Stacey.
Somewhere between all the dad talks, the duo discussed the possibility of starting a business together sometime in the future — “Something a little bit bigger … something that aligned with our family ethics,” said Tombu.
Fast forward to 2022: Dad’s Tattoo Company opened its doors on New West’s Columbia Street in March, offering a large space for customers to get inked and a small “nice chill spot” for kids to hang out — just the way the dads had dreamt it up.
“My daughter is often down at the shop hanging out and pushing a broom around," said Tombu. "Devin’s kids are constantly asking to come hang out at the shop to watch movies at night. They love seeing the city all lit up in the old downtown.”
On rainy nights, the dads and their daughters sometimes sit in the soft lighting of the studio staring at the “glowing” Columbia Street, playing a video game or getting fake tattoos, said Stacey.
The kids' zone was a hit.
So, in just over a few months of launching the business, the dads decided to expand it in size.
They took over another unit, knocked out the wall in between and put up a big TV in the space.
Now, the room, besides being their kids’ fave, also serves clients who may not be able to have their kiddos looked after while getting a tattoo, said Tombu.
While a kids’ room in a tattoo shop is a clear giveaway that the business puts family first, there's more that suggests it's run by a team of responsible dads.
As Tombu said in an Instagram chat, “We keep the music at a reasonable volume and no one is allowed to touch the thermostat.”
“We believe in openness in conversation, and everything is funny as long as it’s not rooted in hate. Our shop talks nonsense and health all day, and throws shade at those that don’t return their shopping carts, don’t use turn signals, etc. Snack runs to the Shawarma Corner downstairs are a constant.”
And while all that adds to the dad-vibe of the shop, what nails it is a little message from Tombu right at the end of the chat.
“In true dad fashion, all this was written in the bathroom while drinking coffee,” he said.
At this confession, we reminded ourselves of an old American sitcom, Father Knows Best.
But even if they don't, here’s wishing all pops a happy Father’s Day!
Father's Day is on Sunday, June 18. Dad’s Tattoo Company (627 Columbia St.) is open between 12 noon and 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. Follow Dad’s Tattoo Company on Instagram to know more.
