Duo Opens New Tattoo Shop in East Meadow
House of Addixion Tattoo Company moves into storefront next to Funtazia on Hempstead Turnpike.
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Two friends brought a new tattoo shop, with a comfortable and relaxed vibe, to East Meadow.
House of Addixion Tattoo Company, located at 2560 Hempstead Tpke. next to Funtazia, officially opened on Friday, much to the satisfaction of the owners – two friends who have known each other since they were teenagers.
Owners Tom Giglio, of Franklin Square, and Jacqueline Nicolosi, of Bellmore, — both 34 years old — teamed up to create the shop after realizing their shared passion for tattoos. Giglio explained that he was living in Miami for four years, hanging out at his friend’s tattoo shop, when he recognized how much he loved the art. When he moved back to New York, he knew he wanted to be able to open up his own place.
“[Tom] is my best friend and I knew he needed a partner,” Nicolosi said. “It just kind of happened at a really good time."
Giglio said that he also saw that many local tattoo parlors didn’t feel extremely welcoming or friendly. Though neither he nor Nicolosi are tattoo artists, they decided that they would start their own business that would have a sociable atmosphere for customers.
“I just wanted to open this place to basically have my own place and have everyone feel welcome, have really good artists and quality work,” he added. “I just want it to be a place where you feel when you walk in that you are comfortable from the beginning. It’s somewhere you want to get tattooed.”
Nicolosi said that they wanted the shop to have a really nice atmosphere, but at the same time be laid back and comfortable. She added that she wanted to be her own boss and she wanted to “have something to show."
“She had a full-time job and she wanted to do something more than that,” said Giglio, who himself formerly worked in the mortgage industry, in regards to Nicolosi. “She didn’t love it. She wanted to do something more than that. We both want to do something that we love and have a passion and liking for.”
The duo started searching for a location about a year and a half ago. The space that House of Addixion Tattoo Company now occupies was formerly part of Funtazia, which sits next door to the shop. Giglio explained that he was always at the location and is friends with Funtazia's owner. He proposed the idea of taking over the second space to focus on tattoos to the owner, who agreed.
“It just seemed like a good place,” he added.
The shop features four stations, one private room, and another room for piercing. Giglio said that they have five artists, who he found through referrals, word of mouth, and Craigslist.
“It all worked, everyone seemed to click right from the beginning,” he said, adding that his goal is to eventually open five shops, with “one in every county, at least."
Are you going to visit the new tattoo parlor? Tell us in the comments.
Bill Alderman
12:16 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Best of Luck and Much Success Tom and Jackie ! Now someone need to start a Cable TV show called "Meadow Ink"
Jaime Sumersille
12:58 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
@Bill Alderman - i like the way you think! Someone call the TLC network!
Jaime Sumersille,
Regional Editor, Nassau County
paul
6:34 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Is Funtazia still in business?
Didnt they also do tatoos? and more
Nicole Murphy
12:38 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Funtazia is still in business, right next door! They no longer offers tattoos or piercings like they did in the past.
Chuck
6:35 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Item of interest:
http://bellmore.patch.com/articles/bellmore-woman-and-friend-opens-new-tattoo-shop-in-east-meadow
Patty Bryant
7:22 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Jackie,
Congratulations! And best of luck to both of you.
Chuck
10:59 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I am all for new businesses and entrepreneurship. 100 percent......
As as long as all the proper business permits are applied for and approved.
But I am wondering why no one has questioned why there are several tattoo locations in the immediate area.
Is there that much tattoo business by the locals?
Looks like tattoo shops are in every town on the Island alone.
I also question all the Cash for Gold pawn shops.
These should be troubling to residents in the immediate area.
Where is the neighborhood concern?
But a corporate business like Sonic gets ridiculed.
Makes absolutely no sense.
When I listen to people speak about the above subject:
I Guess I am trying to make sense from the senseless.....
Frank T
10:20 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Chuck, great point. I am also not sure what the agenda is against Sonic but the Chamber of Commerce has no problem with gold and pawnshops on every single block in East Meadow.
Bill Alderman
11:11 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Dear Chuck and Frank,
There are actually more nail salons and physical therapy/chiropracter locations in East Meadow than pawn stores and tattoo parlors combined. Responsible tattoo services and piercings are in a growing demand these days. A similar service has even been made available at Islander home games and is thriving. As far as what the issue with Sonic is, may I suggest you come to the meeting at EM High School
on Wed 2/29 at 7pm. But Tom and Jackie seem to want to create a respectable and classy place where people can come and feel safe in getting the body art of their choice.
Frank T
12:00 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Bill, I have nothing against the tatoo parlor. I wish them the best of luck and it appears that they are on the right track opening a clean establishment with a friendly atmosphere.
I disagree with your comparison of nail salons and Physical Therapy to pawn shops. These pawn shops are allowing thiefs to rob our homes and sell our stolen objects to these shops. I don't think that's happening at the nail salons and Chiropractor offices.
Haven't you noticed the the increase in home and auto break ins?
paul
3:52 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
To Bill:
As far as the Sonic issues????
You seem to have created neighborhood fury for no reason other than your own personal vindictiveness.
Well not the entire neighborhood just the ones that follow you to drink the kool aid.
Glad your line is short...... Very short...
Keep dreaming, I mean drinking.....
Chuck
10:08 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
I work nights but am curious what this meeting is about and who is sponsoring it?
see below:
As far as what the issue with Sonic is, may I suggest you come to the meeting at EM High School on Wed 2/29 at 7pm.
Bill Alderman
12:34 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Frank
I did not think you had anything against this tattoo shop, and that like me you want all the best success for them. It was just your pawn & gold buyers comment I felt compelled to respond to. Yes I have noticed an increased number of burglaries. However the chamber and the police closely monitor the EM shops that buy merchandise.( I work for a great place in Amityville that buys used cameras).There is a 2 page police report they fill out when they buy and they take a copy of your ID and cell # and check the # too. They must hold the items 3 weeks, while the investigation runs , Then and only then can they sell, it or melt it or whatever. If it is identified as stolen they lose it and the money paid, so they are super careful. The Bungled Burgler from Bethpage was caught because He (allegedly) stole jewelry and pawned it at NY Gold Buyers in Jamaica who reported him to authorities. People who steal are not really going to these places, because they will report them, they are still using the Urban GoPher Networks according to reports. AND yes I would LOVE to see many other types of business in our fair hamlet.
paul
2:44 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
To Frank:
Yes your analogies of the types of businesses are accurate.
Once again Bill" makes no sense and only wants to be heard...
He defies all logic....
Trying to explain any logic to Bill would be a moot point.
As Chuck stated that would be like trying to make sense from the senseless...
Susan
10:12 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I can't believe that some people would rather have more tattoo parlors and "We Buy Gold" stores than a FAMILY oriented restaurant like Sonic in the neighborhood. What are you people thinking? I'm tired of hearing about traffic since those of us who live here can certainly take a different route and avoid that area on Hempstead Tpke if need be. The thrill will die down with Sonic too and it won't be an issue. And the potential garbage problem I keep reading about can be handled by the Sonic management or they'd be fined if they don't. Tattoos and pawn shops don't seem very family/community oriented, do they? I think all those gold buying places cheapen the neighborhood. Hempstead Tpke was built for commerce so why not Sonic? The parking lot and shopping center are huge. No one lives directly across the street or even around the corner. Plus I didn't hear anyone carrying on when Burger King and Wendy's were built! We have TWO BK's on Hemps. Tpke, both in EM. Did we REALLY need 2? But yet, no one complained.
I wish these people a lot of luck with their new business but do we really need a tattoo parlor on every block?. Bill's comparison to the nail places is truly ridiculous. Many more people get their nails done then would EVER get a tattoo. And to compare a tattoo parlor to the medical needs of a physical therapy office or a chiropractor?? Sorry Bill but that's just plain stupid. Physical therapy is a medical necessity! No one can say that about a tattoo!