Alchemy Tattoo Collective - Central West End — Attraction in St. Louis

My wife and I arrived at noon on Saturday and were told that they’d be ready for us at about 3 PM. This was expected based on the phone conversations that we had earlier in the week, we just wanted to let them know that we had arrived in town. At about 3 we headed back over and were told they were a little behind and told they’d need about 45 more minutes. We were hungry, so happily obliged. After grabbing something to eat, we walked back over and were told to have a seat and fill out the waivers. We again showed the woman at the front desk what we were having done and she confirmed who our artists would be. After sitting for another 90 minutes and watching several people walk in and out,I was a bit confused but still excited. Flash forward ANOTHER 30 minutes, then another, and someone finally came to talk to us (one of our expected artists, after he referred to us as “the old couple on the couch”). We talked to him for a few minutes then he goes, “yeah, I don’t really like doing that kinda stuff, I will but it probably won’t be that good.” A bit confused, I asked “what about the other one?”, and he just says, “I don’t know.” and walks away. We were both just trying to figure out what was going and sat back down. Finally, a few minutes later the woman at the front desk comes back, so we ask her what was happening and she says, “I don’t know, I’ll drop your picture in our group chat and see if someone wants to do it some other day.” Mind you, we sent the pictures of what we wanted on Wednesday and confirmed with a call on Thursday. I am sure that they are extremely talented individuals but unfortunately, after speaking to them on both Wednesday and Thursday, then driving two hours, we did not get to find out. We honestly would have understood that things happen sometimes and certainly don’t care about being called old (we are 40, which was about 15 years older than anyone else in there, after all)… but leaving us sitting there until 6:30 before bothering to tell us that they couldn’t do it just seemed a bit much, especially since the word “sorry” was...

My wife and sister and law came here to get some concrete geese tattooed. I was just tagging along. Initially, hadn’t planned to get any work done. They were tattooed by G and was thoroughly impressed with the work and that they actually cared about what they wanted. My wife had found out they had an apprentice and knew I had a bucket list item to be tattooed by an apprentice. Then they just happened to find out she had time. So then down the rabbit hole we go! I talked to Cori and looked through her flash. Then picked out a stay trashy raccoon that was an original flash of hers. So we sat down got it done in about 3 hours. Was quoted two hours but I was happy to pay for the extra hours because she did absolutely amazing work and has only been tattooing on people for two months. I’ve been tattooed by people that have been tattooing for 20 years and now her that’s only been doing it for 2 months. I gotta say she was one of the most professional and laid back artists I’ve ever worked with. Light handed, great conversation, and super knowledgeable. I hear the owner brings up apprentices and GREAT on you because you are bringing rockstars to the game. Cori the corporate world didn’t deserve you. Tattooing is where you belong and I will absolutely travel back to have this apprentice tattoo me for a long time. My right arm is for sure hers to finish. I’ve been tattooed in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Branson, but this shop in St. Louis where...

Update: Chelsea finished the final touch of for my tattoo and did a phenomenal job. If you don’t want a bad public review, then do better to your clients in personal interactions so they don’t have to resort to public reviews(as I talked to her over and over and told her personally for 11 months before I posted here). Chelsea defended Christa during my touch up saying bc she’s also a single mother she understands why she can’t keep appts. Not acceptable imo. Christa called ME “unprofessional” when this is not my profession. This shop does not hold their employees accountable. Will not be returning.

I got my leg tattoo with Christa… I loved her but she has cancelled on me more than we have met. Over what will be 11 months after starting my tattoo with her, HOPEFULLY it’ll end in May(it didn’t, she cancelled the final touch up without notice). We started in August and her work was good. I didn’t get any ink until January. We have had 9+ or so appointments scheduled, and we only have met for 3. 1 was a consult and two were actual ink. When you get to have her tattoo you she is talented, but being cancelled on more times than we meet was enough to make me move on. I was sad but her attitude to not wanting to do better was quite off putting. I can work with people who show they care. I won’t be...