Tattoo studio aims to leave lasting mark

SANDUSKY — For Sam Stricklin, Sandusky represents a safe haven in both the personal and professional senses. "I've always loved lakeside cities and towns and always had fun coming to Sandusky as a kid," said Stricklin, who's originally from Indiana and now resides in Mansfield. "As a kid, I enjoyed going to Cedar Point, going fishing or visiting a lighthouse," he added. "As I've grown, I've become more accustomed to quiet places. And then, one day, I just decided I would pursue opening my own shop and see where it took me — and it took me here, a place I love." Stricklin recently opened Ink Row Tattoo Studios, 128 E. Market St., around the corner from Small City Taphouse, in downtown Sandusky. "We're an award-winning professional tattoo studio, myself and my wife, Tristan, who are both award-winning artists," Stricklin said. "If you come here, you will get precision. We are very precise in making sure our clients get exactly what they want and, hopefully, it exceeds your expectations." Upon turning 18, Stricklin, now 26, received his first tattoo. Since then, he's gotten dozens more with artwork covering most of his skin. This would include a matching Morton Salt Girl drawing he obtained in tandem with his wife and another on his face: an Arabic letter, which appears like the No. 7 in English but actually translates to "six," in tribute to his late friend. "But not all tattoos have to mean something," Stricklin said. "I got a lot of goofy ones and a lot of poorly done ones — but they all do help me understand parts of my life." Tattooing always kept Stricklin grounded. "Right after I turned 18, I picked up an apprenticeship. But then I stepped away from it for several years and ended up getting in some legal trouble and going to prison," Stricklin said. "I wanted to get my life back on track. That's why I got married and had (two) kids with my wife, who's expecting our third child, and I wanted to get back into tattooing, so I found another apprenticeship and have been with it ever since." Stricklin most enjoys the creativity tattooing offers. "It's something different every day," he said. "People will come to me with a design or an idea, and they are looking for ways I can create that on them. I love making people happy with what I do." Whether newbies or those experienced to tattooing, Stricklin welcomes anyone into his shop. Right now, it's open from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays. People can learn more by visiting Ink Row Tattoo Studio on Facebook. "It will be a chill environment. There won't be any drama. It will be relaxed in here, and you'll be happy with whatever you get," he said. What's in a name? Stricklin gave some insight into the name for Ink Row Tattoo Studios "I didn't want something corny or something necessarily tattoo-related. Ink, yes, is related, but it was derived from Death Row Records. I have always liked their records and how they sounded. It's also a plan for future businesses. I want to be an entrepreneur, and all the businesses I own, I can use the name 'row' and be connected."