“Nothing is easy as you think its going to be. We were lucky to secure this place,” said David Luke, owner of The Body Shoppe on 354 West Main St. Luke said the fire in 2017 caused him to lose him home and business. “(I) lost everything with around $87 in my pocket. We had to start literally from scratch.”

Luke has owned the Body Shoppe for four years now, previously known as Creative Obsessions. But he has been a tattoo artist for 10 years now.

“Three hours to secure three years of my tattoo business, we weren’t left with many options. We had stuff in U-Hauls and pickup trucks for days,” Luke recalled at the time of the fire.

A variety of gift baskets was provided by numerous donors. Pumpkintown, Fitness Bunker, John David Salon, Roots Salon, Blue Collar Workwear, Sherwin Williams, Pennys Less Salon, Waddington’s Tavern, Craft Cottage, Hector’s Sports, Woody’s Detail Shop, Turney’s Auto Repair, Falconer Pharmacy, Bairs Pizza, Don Phillips, and family and friends of The Body Shoppe all contributed baskets.

From left, Greg Scott, Mitchell Smith, Justin Dombroski, David Luke, Kim Stevens, Nikki Osborne, Mayor James Rensel, and State Assemblyman Andy Goodell cut the ribbon at The Body Shoppe, 354, W. Main St., Falconer. Photo by Daryl Simons Jr.

The rebuilding process was from the ground up, and was a difficult one for Luke, Kim Stevens, shop manager, and Mitchell Smith, tattoo Artist,, but they all stated a similar sentiment. “We are just grateful to stay in town and remain locals, contribute to the town we live in, and appreciate everyone’s patience during this transition,” said Stevens.

“Thanks to the (Falconer volunteer) fire department, all the businesses who have helped out, and to all our friends and family,” said Luke.

Smith has been a tattoo artist professionally for five years. He talked a bit about the artistry and meaning behind tattoos. “I think its a way that a lot of people express themselves. There is a story behind every tattoo you do. I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday, exactly on the day. And the next one was a memorial for my grandma, which was less than a week later.”

As for being a tattoo artist, Smith added that “There’s no better feeling than doing an awesome tattoo on someone. I strive to be better and better after each tattoo.” Since he was in high-school, he said that he spent most of his time drawing during class, and that he has “always had an itch for art.”

State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, Mayor James Rensel, and a representative from the Falconer Volunteer Fire Department were present at this event.

“It’s great to see a local business that happened to go through all of that, rebuild with all of this community support and move forward, and most of all, seeing this business stay in the area,” said Goodell

Fourth Battalion Coordinator for Chautauqua County Emergency Services and volunteer with the Falconer Volunteer Fire Department Greg Scott, talked about the fire. “When I logged the report, it bounced back from New York state, they said ‘There was no way you were all on-site for 38 hours.’ The Falconer Volunteer Fire Department was there on-site initially for 38 hours. Twelve other departments were involved. A lot of teamwork went into place there.” He thanked Luke and staff for their recognition of the fire departments.

“We are family-friendly. If you bring your grandmother here, she is going to feel comfortable. Tattoo shops aren’t scary,” Luke added in regards to the reputation tattoo parlors tend receive. “I’m a poster boy for good decisions in tattooing,”

“We just want to do what we are good at, tattoos,” Luke said.