We talked to: Timmy B. of NiteOwl Tattoo

We recently had a great conversation with Timmy B., owner of NiteOwl Tattoo. Learn more about his business--how it began, how it's going, and what's coming up!

Hi, Timmy! Could you tell us a bit about your business, NiteOwl Tattoo?

I was living in New York when I first had the idea to create NiteOwl. I honestly could not stand Long Island and was looking for a reason to leave. I grew up in Belchertown, so Western MA has always been special to me. I have many clients who travel from all over the world—spending a lot of money on airfare—so in my head, I was thinking that I’d much rather have people visit a shop in an awesome town. I felt like if I were to open up in Northampton, I could be proud of the location and community I’m in.

After a while, it was just a no-brainer, so I started the process. The first iteration of NiteOwl was on Pleasant Street, across from what was then Sylvester’s (and is now Toasted), which opened on September 5th of 2014. The space was huge, and we had to redo it entirely, which was a monumental undertaking and expensive as well. Also, I was driving back and forth between here and New York, which was stressful and time-consuming. I did get to design and map out the shop, which was pretty cool and a good learning experience, but ultimately, we just did not need such an enormous space. While we had fun there, we knew it was time to move on and downsize.

We lucked out in finding our current space on Pleasant Street right before the pandemic. The size is perfect for our team, as well as customers and any visiting artists who want to come; we have always got an open space for them. We currently have five people on our team, including three full-time artists, a shop manager, and an apprentice. We have a relaxed and fun vibe here—the shop resembles a toy store—letting people who come in know that we’re not taking ourselves too seriously and they can relax and enjoy the experience. Our open floorplan allows people to banter and laugh together while they are working or being worked on, which is really important to me. I’ve never been a fan of the private room setup; having an open space encourages camaraderie and more of a relaxed atmosphere. Getting a tattoo can be a very emotional experience, so having a supportive and encouraging environment that’s also filled with laughter is my goal.

Our team is really aligned when it comes to the vibe we want to cultivate, and we all share a similar sense of humor. That makes it tough to replace someone if they choose to move on and do their own thing; it’s like replacing a friend, not just an artist. Of course, that’s part of life and we want people to grow and follow their passions. We just feel really lucky to have the staff we currently do—they make work fun on a daily basis.

What do you love about having a business in downtown Northampton?

Probably just the fact that no matter who is getting tattooed, there are so many places for them to walk around and visit after their appointment. You’re not just strolling into big box stores or chains; there is so much to offer that you can’t get anywhere else. When people are done at the shop, we have a list of restaurants and suggestions for places they can check out. We have lots of repeat customers who love returning to this town, not just for their tattoos, but also to enjoy the area. You can get tattooed anywhere, but the city or town might not have that much to offer otherwise. It’s all about having a full experience, and this town is very welcoming. No one cares what you look like or what you do—they are just going to be nice to you.

Is there anything exciting coming up at the shop, from events to specials?

We have our “Ink to End Lyme Disease” event coming up in March. We were unable to do it during the pandemic, so we’re finally getting back to it and it’s a great event for an important cause. My friend Lauren who I tattooed ages ago started Lyme Warriors, which led us to hosting this event. We draw up a bunch of designs for people to choose from, and they drop in to get tattooed. We donate all the proceeds to the cause, and it’s just a really fun and therapeutic day during which people can talk about their experiences with Lyme and how it has impacted their lives—while also getting some cool new ink. We think it’s necessary to acknowledge how serious of an issue it is, but also provide a space and event for people to gather and feel supported and have some fun.

Any fun facts you'd like to share about yourself or the business?

I work a lot, but I love it. I’ve done this for over 20 years now, and I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. Aside from that, I enjoy playing drums and riding bikes.  I don’t have time for a band anymore, but I really like playing for myself. It’s a great release and a great hobby. With a job that demands so much focus and concentration, I really appreciate the time I get to smack the drums or hop on a bike and ride.

And finally, what is your favorite winter food/beverage?

Honestly, I’m pretty easy when it comes to food. I tend to eat wherever my dining companions would prefer. We always enjoy pub food, and places like Fitzwilly’s and the Northampton Brewery are always solid and consistent. We’ll also branch out and check out some of the new places that have popped up recently as well. I just like making others happy—I’m super laid-back about food and can always find something I’ll enjoy eating.