A couple of weekends ago, my wife and I had to head up to Middletown, NY for a martial arts tournament that my school was partaking in. I haven’t been up to Middletown, NY since seeing Motley Crue and Tesla up at the Orange County Fair back in 1989. I have to say…It hasn’t changed a bit! After I watched by classmates kick some ass, my wife and I decided to explore Middletown, despite its agelessness, and we came across this amazing looking tattoo shop on East Main Street. We only noticed it because there was a nail salon right next door and Mrs. Louie needed to get her nails done. The name of the shop was Class Act Tattoo Studio.
So, as the wife went in to get her nails done, I walked to the right into the tattoo shop to take a look and share my experience with you, the readers. I walked into a reception desk in front with bar stools in front of it. This place looked immaculate from what I saw so far. Nice hardwood floors and walls adorned with those giant wall portfolios of flash art. To the left when you enter is glass casing of tattoo aftercare creams. And beyond the glass casing is a wall of Class Act Tattoo Studio merch like t-shirts and swag like that. Behind the reception desk was a room with a window where all the tattoo and piecing magic happened. You can hear the buzzing as owner and artist Glenn Broker was hard at work on a client. I didn’t want to really bother him, so I did my research on him for this piece online, but I was greeted by a girl named Michele, who said she was the shop manager and she answered a few questions about the shop.
It seemed Glenn Broker was the only artist in the studio at the moment, and based on the shop’s website, he might be the only artist in the shop, period. Glenn realized his passion as an artist in high school, where he started his first business airbrushing in flea markets, fairs, boardwalks, and doing custom work for clients. After he graduated, he decided to get his first tattoo. His tattoo artist realized his artistic ability and taught him the basics of tattooing. Even though he loved to airbrush and tattoo, he wanted to broaden his horizons in business, so he started college in 1990, which is when he actually opened Class Act Tattoo, and he earned two degrees in architecture and criminal justice while running his busy and rapidly growing airbrushing and tattoo studio. It wasn’t until 1997 that he decided that tattooing was what he really wanted to do. So, he bought an old laundromat on East Main Street in Middletown, and converted it into a storefront for Class Act Tattoo, which still stands there today.
When I asked what would draw a customer like me looking for my next tattoo into their shop, Michele told me that Glenn’s main focus when it comes to tattooing is to provide an enjoyable quality experience for all of his customers by having a knowledgeable staff, a friendly professional atmosphere, and a guarantee of a sterile environment. She assured me that they follow all sterilization procedures, ensuring the safety and health of their clients along with themselves. She told me that Glenn still does his custom airbrushing for clients on shirts, choppers, helmets, cars, and almost anything you can think of.
When I asked about their walk-in and appointment policy, Michele told me that walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours, but due to their large customer base, appointments are preferred and recommended. Depending on the tattoo needs of the client, the staff at Class Act Tattoo will do their very best to fit anyone into the schedule if they walk-in. As for appointments, it might be best to stop down at the studio during regular business hours with your ideas and let their well-trained staff help create an amazing tattoo. It will also help assess the custom tattoo needs and the amount of time it will take to complete the task. A non-refundable cash deposit will be needed upon setting up the appointment. If a customer does not live in the area, but wants to set up an appointment, special arrangements can be made by contacting the studio or via the web.
Class Act also offers professional piercing services, which are done privately and by appointment only. Glenn and his crew also offers professional vinyl designs to help personalize anything from your storefront windows and doors, to your company or personal vehicles. I have to admit, though I didn’t get to speak to Glenn Broker, he has a really nice shop in the heart of Middletown, NY.
The shop is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays by appointment only. If you’d like to check the place out, they’re located 263 East Main Street in Middletown or check out their website, ClassActTattooStudio.com, or call the shop at (845) 343-2471 for more info.
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.
