Dark Water Studio — Local services in Lyons Township

I want to first start by saying that this review is by no means a reflection of the owner Jose and some other talented artists that work at Darkwater. Jose and Dennis are amazing artists, and I am pretty disappointed that I actually will not be coming here anymore based on the pure fact of the business' poor customer service and management. I went to Darkwater today with my boss and her two daughters so that they can get their belly button pierced. I called Darkwater yesterday to confirm that Britney the piercer would be here for sure and asked if an appointment was necessary. I was told that someone will be there from 2-10 and an appointment for a piercing is not necessary. So after my boss drove 1 hour to come here with her daughters, we found out that there wasn't in fact anyone on staff that could pierce. The place WREAKED of weed which probably doesn't seem to sanitary, and the staff was far from apologetic and went about cleaning up at 4 to close since some of the other artists were at a convention. I understand that things happen and people call in sick.. but customer service is vital in any business, and the staff there today was terrible. I am absolutely embarassed and mortified that I referred my boss who is a physician to drive an hour out of her way to experience this and have to walk into a place that was pretty obvious the employees were all smoking weed inside. I am so disappointed that this situation happened because I really had nothing but good things to say about the work that Dennis has done on me and friends, and anyone that asks me about tattoos I refer here. I guess I will find a different place to refer and go myself that has a professional staff who treats their customers with respect. Maybe the owner should talk to the employees and remind them that a business with talented artists like himself should be professional and maybe it wouldn't be the greatest idea to have employees doing drugs inside. I will NEVER come here again I...

Josue is a good artist but as far as professionalism goes not there. Got upset because I didn’t leave a deposit with his secretary/girlfriend when I had to consistently call him multiple times to finish one piece and the second time set an appointment up with him in the city drove up there an hour away, got there called him and texted him plenty of times no answer finally texting back hours later that he forgot and he was cleaning. Don’t ask for a deposit when your not dependable....

The is by far the premier shop in the State of Illinois. Jose Perez is an artist first and foremost. If you want a work of art he is the guy to see. If you want some flash just go anywhere. Would you tell Picasso how to create art? NO! If you want Art, you found the right place. You can't go wrong. If Jose isn't available, and you can't wait, book with any of the fantastic Artists...