Red Wing Tattoo — Local services in Winona

Went for a flash event, arrived an hour early and there was maybe 2 groups ahead of us. after the first group went in 5 minutes after opening, more expensive tattoos for artists apparently not participating in the flash were being peddled outside, as well as different piercings to "pass the time". I should've left at this point.

After we waited outside for an hour we asked if we could at least wait inside. We got our names on a waitlist and kept waiting. Every few hours we would ask what the expected time was only to be told "a hot minute" every time. While waiting in the lobby there were children running around, popping balloons, and shouting. I can't imagine this is a great environment for the artist or the canvas.

After waiting for 6 hours we were told we could go home and wait to receive a call. Almost 3 hours after that we called in for an update to be told "your names should've never been written down, maybe we can get to you in 2 hours" This news after waiting for 9 hours already, and being strung along all day.

After that we receive a call saying there was an emergency with the only participating artist, and our appointment could not be fulfilled.

The artists seem great, but I would never recommend coming here for a flash event. One of the most unprofessional and poorly managed experiences I've ever had in my life. Being told no at the beginning would've been leagues better, at least I wouldn't have wasted a Sunday in a tattoo parlor.

Edit: we waited from 11am-8pm, this is a 9 hour period of time. I am not putting any blame on any artist, I am blaming the poor management and communication of the situation. If it was known that we "shouldn't have been on the list" at 1230 when we stepped inside, why was this information never given to us, not even a warning. We weren't looking to get a tattoo from zephyrs flash though they are a great artist, and I'm sure the price difference is valid. The artists aren't machines, but if the capacity was known from the beginning it should've been communicated. I hope the artists emergency is taken care of and everything is okay, this was never contested in my review.

And don't worry I wasn't planning...

I have always experienced excellent customer service and high quality of work by almost every employee at this shop (I have only experienced the quality of work by a few of them but I'm sure all provide just as high quality of service). I've been there easily 10+ times for piercings, tattoos or simply purchasing jewelry. Casey pierced five of my facial piercings and I never had a problem with any of them (I actually only have problems with the ones I did not get pierced by him...). He is experienced with fainters, screamers, punchers-you name it, he can handle it. Unlike two other mouth piercings I received at other shops, all of the piercings he did were straight and perfectly positioned. All piercing advice I have received from everyone at this shop is standard for piercing advice across the board (what to use, what to avoid). Chelsea has now tattooed me twice and is always very friendly, open to ideas and provides honest feedback when you bounce ideas off of her. She is patient during the tattooing process (especially for people who get jumpy after the first hour) and does everything she can to make sure you're comfortable. Once a week I get the pleasure of a stranger asking me about my piece from her and I get to talk her up to people in the cities. It is very reasonably priced for the quality of work you get and I have and will continue to recommend anyone in the area to stop...

There’s so much I could say about how earnestly I love this shop… Everyone is warm, genuine, and professional, and it’s easily become one of my top happy (and safe) spaces. I’ve worked primarily with Casey over the past year-ish to develop my lofty piercing goals (lol), and he’s gone ABOVE and beyond to accommodate my needs, desires, ideas, etc. None of my many piercings have had issues, and I attribute much of that to how thoughtfully he practices his craft, and how he takes the time to thoroughly educate his clients.

I’ve also worked with Dalyla, and she’s not only gifted me with some fantastic tattoos, but she’s also a serious delight to talk to as she works… I can’t wait to see what she creates for myself and others as she continues to hone her talents (and the deep, existential chats will be a fun bonus!). Overall, I have been a client with Red Wing Tattoo long enough to know that I will be a client for life. Thank you all, sincerely, for the important work that you do for our community. I can’t tell you how much joy your art brings to me (and so many others), in its myriad,...