Empire Tattoo — Attraction in St. Marys

Don't go to Second Skin when you can have it done right at Empire?

I’ve been to a lot of tattoo shops, and I can confidently say Empire sets a new standard for what a great tattoo experience should be. From the moment I called, they were engaged, understanding, and genuinely cared about my situation with a half-finished tattoo. They scheduled a consultation for me in less than 12 hours — talk about responsive!

When I walked in, the team at the front immediately remembered me and my story. Within minutes, three artists came over to take a look, and before I knew it, they made room for me to start my tattoo that same day. Hector, my artist, began by saying, "Before we start, let’s talk and make sure we’re on the same page," which set an amazing tone. Whether you’re seasoned with ink or getting your first tattoo, this kind of communication is key.

Hector hand-drew the stencil with precision and real thought, making sure it flowed perfectly with my original piece. He never rushed the creative process or the work itself. Once we got started, the vibe in the shop made everything even better — great conversation, a welcoming atmosphere, and even other customers joining in. The energy at Empire is truly the chef’s kiss of tattoo shops.

My finished tattoo looks exactly how I always envisioned it — maybe even better. The level of care they put into cleanliness and sanitation was impressive, and my comfort was clearly a top priority throughout.

Having been to a few bad shops in the past, I can say Empire is hands down my #1. Their prices were incredibly fair, especially for the time, attention, and outstanding quality I received. Whether you're new to tattoos or a seasoned collector, you’ll know you’re in the right place the second you walk through their doors.

I cannot recommend Empire enough — this is where you want to be!

The photo without shading was done at Second Skin, I'm so thankful to Empire for fixing this tattoo and making it...

Amazing service! Sean was the absolute best! He got me in and out within an hour and he did so good on the details! The entire shop was very nice and had exceptional customer service! I was originally going to go to second skin but when I walked in I was greeted with “what are you here for” and I replied “I’m here for a tattoo walk in” because they have signs making it clear that they took walk ins. We waited for about 10 mins when Dereck approached us and informed us that he didn’t have time today that we can come back tomorrow. We said that was fine and asked what time he opened. He told us and we asked if we could call and make an appointment for tomorrow (we had plans to work around) and he said he doesn’t take appointments over the phone. He didn’t offer for any other artist to take care of us, only him. I do understand that they have set appointments for certain times and can’t take care of us right away which I was fine with. I think if they were a little nicer with our initial interaction we would have stayed and waited but I’m glad we didn’t. No where else can top the experience we had with empire’s. Thank you to Sean for our beautiful tattoos and to the entire staff for being so incredibly nice and fitting us in your...

My boyfriend and I walked into Empire without an appointment and were immediately greeted by Adam, who—despite being in the middle of a tattoo—took the time to make sure we were taken care of right away. He quickly found someone available to help us, which we really appreciated.

Kelsey worked with my boyfriend and was incredibly professional. She took the time to ensure the placement was exactly where he wanted it. Even though she had a full schedule, she didn’t hesitate to fit him in, and her positive attitude made the experience even better.

Tiffany did my tattoo, and I can’t thank her enough. I tend to get really anxious around needles, but she was kind, calming, and patient the whole time. She helped me feel at ease right away. Her touch was light, her line work was super precise, and the whole process was so much smoother than I expected.

The shop itself has a great vibe—clean, welcoming, and each artist’s space felt personalized and creative. We had an awesome experience from start to finish, and we will absolutely be coming back. Huge thanks to the...