So, this was a very strange run of events. Typically when I go and review tattoo shops, I would call the shop and make an appointment to sit down with the owner or manager of the shop to interview them. Lately, I’ve been spotting tattoo shops that I just want to review when I’m on vacation or out to dinner with my wife. I want to review these shops because they look amazing and have great artists but no one seems to know about them. Unfortunately for me, because so many of these shops keep popping up out of the blue, I’m kind of never prepared to interview the owners about their shops. This was one of those times.
I was stuck in traffic on my way to a class at Rowan University, so I pulled off of an exit on Route 295 in South Jersey to take back roads and got lost on a street called Creek Road in Brooklawn. As I was passing a bowling alley, across the street, I saw a sign that read, “Tattoo,” which always catches my eye when I’m driving. I looked at the clock and saw that I had a few minutes to kill, so I turned around and went back to see if the place was even worth a quick review. I mean, this place looked so obscure. It looked like it was part of a big warehouse. Parking was ample, though. I took a quick peek inside the front glass door and this place looked nothing like it did on the outside. It looked like paradise on the inside. The name of the shop was All In Inkorporated.
I walked into this spacious blood red colored waiting room. That’s a color you love to see when you’re about to have needles pumped into you. To my right was a roulette table and to my left was a reception desk with a slot machine sitting there. That’s something I’ve never seen before at a tattoo shop. Gamble and bleed! Nevertheless, the shop looked cozy. If I walked straight ahead, I would have walked right into a few private tattooing rooms with a chair in each that reminded me of a dentist office chair that you sit in when your teeth are getting drilled. I’m starting to like the concept at this place.
As I was taking everything in really quick, I was noticed by someone I later learned to be owner and artist Billy Biello, who is also known as Billy B. Billy co-owns the shop with his fiancée, Lisa Greene, who I understood was also a fellow Rowan grad. They opened the shop back in July of 2014. They are that new! Billy asked if I needed any help and I responded with, “I need lots of help!” But instead I just asked him a few question about the shop and acted like a customer looking for my next tattoo. Even though he was a bit busy, he answered all the questions I asked to help me formulate this review on this South Jersey hidden gem of a tattoo shop.
So, Billy, himself, has been tattooing for 12-plus years. He’s worked at a couple of other tattoo shops in the area where he was able to hone in on his skill and pick up tips from other veteran tattoo artists in the industry. All In Inkorporated is an all-custom shop. Billy said that he and his artists can handle anything from traditional, new school, script, fine line or even flash art, if that’s what you desire. Billy surrounds himself with two other artists—New Jersey natives Brian Yaksta and Max Burgos, and an apprentice named Andrea Marcellina. Oh yeah, Billy’s fiancée and co-owner Lisa works at the shop as well.
As far as cleanliness, All In is one of the cleanest shops you’ll ever see. They’re a clean and sterile environment following all guidelines laid out by the New Jersey Board of Health with regular inspections. Billy said his shop also abides by all of the age rules. They won’t tattoo under 18 and without parental consent. Walk-ins are always welcome, but appointments are preferred to nail down a client. They do offer body piercing on the premises. That’s something that seems to be a dying breed in the tattoo industry.
Consultations are also free! Billy said that if a prospective client (like he thought I was) wanted to bring a piece they wanted to get tattooed into the shop, he or one of his artists or Lisa will consult with placement, size and pricing of the tattoo. When I asked him about pricing, he told me, “The shop minimum is $60, but that’s just where they begin. The cost of a tattoo is determined by a number different factors, the most common being size, placement on the body, detail involved in the design and color versus black and grey. Most times, we will quote you a flat rate figure up-front, but for larger work, the artist may choose an hourly rate.” That’s pretty fair! Trust me; I didn’t remember all of that. I took that quote off of the company website, where they have weekly tattoo contests for prizes!
All In Inkorporated is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays, unless special appointments are made. Speaking of appointments, they can be made by calling the shop at (856) 432-6683 or visiting the shop in person. They’re located at 3 Creek Road in Brooklawn, NJ. I literally stopped in the shop that quick for a few questions. I got the rest of my info about All In Inkorporated from their website, allininkorporated.com, where you can also contact them with any question or concerns. I will admit, though, that I might be back to visit this shop a little longer next time. It really was a sharp looking shop on the inside and based on the work I’ve seen online, their artists are no joke. This place is a true hidden tattoo gem in South Jersey.
Well, I’m off to check out my next tattoo spot! Who knows what state it will be in! If you have a tattoo shop that you want to suggest, please e-mail me the name of the place and whom I should ask for at tim@theaquarian.com.
