Louisville Mojo: Tattoo Charlie's Forced Out of Okolona?

Why have Louisville zoning code-enforcement officers issued a citation to Tattoo Charlie's to "cease immediately using this property" on Preston Highway?

Buddy Wheeler, the owner of Tattoo Charlie's, expressed disappointment with the situation in an interview with Louisville Mojo today.

"When we opened there, we were within zoning requirements, because there were no zoning requirements," Wheeler said, "and nothing was ever said about it until this year. I feel we should be grandfathered in."

Tattoo Charlie's, one of Kentucky's most popular cultural icons, opened for business at its 7904/7906 Preston Highway location in 1992. It wasn't until the year 2000 that the city suddenly changed the zoning codes, and have been inconsistently and arbitrarily enforcing them ever since.

Historically, tattoo parlors have never been singled out for any distinction within zoning codes. But after 2000, such businesses were only allowed on land zoned as C-2, and other "higher-intensity" classifications.

Although Tattoo Charlie's land was rezoned to C-1, no one from the city had said a word to them about it until now, an entire decade later.

I asked Wheeler about the legal precedent set by the Fantasy In Flesh tattoo parlor, also on Preston Highway. He said the city made a zoning exception for Fantasy In Flesh in October, and he hopes the same will be done for his business. Since Tattoo Charlie's has been in place even longer, it would certainly seem logical.

Tattoo Charlie's was started by Buddy Wheeler's father Charlie, who died in 2007. The business continues to thrive and has recently been the subject of a deluxe coffee-table book.

(photo of neon sign by Monstercard.)

ADD A COMMENT

HairBangerAnnie wed dec 02 2009 at 1:51 pm ·


	No Way !!!!! It's an institution in Louisville !!!

GtownGuy wed dec 02 2009 at 4:27 pm ·


	It's a LOUISVILLE LEGEND that's being treated like an unloved stepchild. Of COURSE it should be grandfathered - or move to Germantown where we would be so proud to welcome this Louisville-weird business.

lonelypsycho516@yahoo.com wed dec 02 2009 at 6:15 pm ·


	if anyone place would welcome the louisville-weird stuff would be the highlands.

WebyVonMotorhead wed dec 02 2009 at 6:42 pm ·


	maybe they should take theyre business out of that area anyways, since Okolona has so many thriving business' that have been there for 2 decades. Im so sick of this towns leadership.

chuck thu dec 03 2009 at 6:49 am ·


	17 years later... I would say they were there first. Or at least, before most. They should definitely be grandfathered in. Good luck, Buddy! Best, - C

Buddy Wheeler #318368 sat dec 05 2009 at 7:24 pm ·


	Hi, just want to say thanks for all of the support. I have gotten many phone calls, emails, and the comments here and they have all been positive. Thanks and take care, Buddy Wheeler Tattoo Charlie's

chuck mon dec 07 2009 at 10:09 am ·


	Buddy, Thank you for the heads up. We've fixed that error. Best, - Chuck

Buddy Wheeler #318368 mon dec 07 2009 at 10:24 pm ·


	Just to add a follow up to the story, or appeal hearing was this morning. We were granted non-conforming rights to continue in operation! Thanks again for the support! Anyone who mentions this story in our studios until the end of December gets 20% off their tattoo!

chuck tue dec 08 2009 at 3:52 pm ·


	Congratulations, that's the only right outcome. 20% off? Sweet, it's a Mojo Special! :-)

SortaAlwyzSmilin tue dec 08 2009 at 9:59 pm ·


	Maybe the city should pay for relocating T.C.'s. You have my unwaivering support.

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blogs: J.S. Holland