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Ink 180 Receives Unanimous Approval from Oswego Village Board

Ink 180, at 27 Stonehill Drive, Oswego, will offer tattoo services for patrons as well as free cover-up tattoos for former gang members and sex-trafficking victims.

Kendall County will be seeing its first tattoo shop in the near future after the Village of Oswego board unanimously voted to approve a special permit for tattoo facility Ink 180.

Ink 180, owned by tattoo artist and Oswego resident Chris Baker, will function as both a tattoo shop for patrons as well as a part of the Ink 180 Ministry that provides free cover-up tattoos for sex trafficking victims and former gang members.

After the vote, Baker said he’d been hopeful it would pass, but had been expecting a few votes against because of the stigma surrounding tattoo shops.

“We’re hoping to turn that conception around,” said Baker.

“It’s a great service and God bless him for doing it,” said trustee Jeff Lawson right before the vote in which many trustees tried to second the motion.

The shop, located at 27 Stonehill Drive Unit D, is expected to open on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, Saturday, March 16.

Right now the building is undergoing renovations. The walls in the waiting room have been painted a bright cherry red and Baker is in the process of getting new carpeting down.

“It’s going to look pretty awesome when it’s all done,” he said. The building features a waiting room where there will be a 50-inch television that allows friends of someone getting a tattoo to watch the process without hovering over Baker’s shoulder.

“Saloon-style” doors will open up into another room, which will connect to the main tattoo parlor. A second room at the back of the hall with an exterior exit door will be where Baker does all of his Ink 180 work.

“It’s crazy how it’s coming together. Everything is just lining up.”

Read more about the Ink 180 Ministry and Chris Baker’s work here or visit the Ink 180 website for ways to help and get involved.   

Rebecca Christiansen February 21, 2013 at 11:54 am
Congrats Chris!
oswego resident February 21, 2013 at 12:59 pm
That's nice. What's next a pawn shop? Oswego is looking more and more like Aurora
Chris Baker February 21, 2013 at 01:06 pm
I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd love to invite you to stop by and hear more about what we do and the work we're doing in the community. We're working hard to change the perception people have of tattoo shops. I can assure you that we're NOTHING like those shops in Aurora.
Thanks and God Bless, Chris
Marissa McClure Mitchell February 21, 2013 at 01:24 pm
Hey Chris congratulations. We love your work & heart for ministry of helping people start again. Hey - question - is that your artwork shown in the pictures? It's beautiful - I love it :)
Kate February 21, 2013 at 01:35 pm
Please, oswego resident, tell us how you're using your God-given abilities to do good in this world. We're dying to know.
Barbara February 21, 2013 at 02:32 pm
I think this is about to be a HUGE business opportunity for the future, helping people get rid of/change the look of tattoos they regret later in life....
L.A.B. February 21, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Oswego Resident obviously has not been following the plethora of media coverage Chris Baker has received for his ministry. If ever a person has been called by God to perform a service to others, Chris Baker has. And really, does a tattoo facility located on Stonehill bring Oswego down as much as the boarded up lumber warehouse right in the heart of the village?
Darlene Blair February 21, 2013 at 05:12 pm
I think this is a great addition to Oswego! To offer Free services to those who need it most is awesome! I have been contemplating a new tattoo but have been hesitant on who and where to go....I think I have found the place....See You soon Chris, and WELCOME!!!
Jill Berenyi February 21, 2013 at 05:50 pm
I am thrilled to hear Chris is coming to a shop in Oswego! His heart is in the right place. May God continue to bless you and work through you in your ministry! WELCOME!
Sarah Cull February 21, 2013 at 06:02 pm
I pray God' blessing & favor on your life & ministry! Thank you for your heart! I am honored to have Ink 180 in my town!!!
Richard R February 21, 2013 at 06:06 pm
Congrats to Chris and his vision on what he is passionate about. I'm not one for tattoos,But can find them interesting from time to time, but I'm not narrowed minded either. Oswego resident why not just move out of this town,if you don't like they way it is being shaped.
Jeannine Zupo February 21, 2013 at 07:01 pm
Congrats Chris! Heard you on Christian radio all month... God bless the work you are doing. Our church in Oswego, Resolution, supports alot of work on the human trafficking front. Hope we can work together some day!
Jane Enviere February 21, 2013 at 07:14 pm
Love the concept and that this gentleman is so dedicated to helping people move forward in life. Good luck!
Juanita February 21, 2013 at 07:32 pm
I want to be Chris' first customer!
oCoMiK February 21, 2013 at 07:39 pm
New massage parlor. New tattoo parlor. I'm feeling like 'Nawlins moved in while I was asleep. :-)
Good luck, Mr. Baker. And kudos for trying to make a difference in the community.
DomVic Fec February 22, 2013 at 01:33 am
Congrats!!!!
We can't wait to see it!!
P. Covello February 22, 2013 at 02:05 am
Not much into tatoos , but to each his own, and the shop being on Stonehill seems fine - it's not like it's next to Town Hall. As far as the Massage Parlor, that's another story....real classy pink curtains and flashing "OPEN" sign...... But as long as they pay the rent, Mason Square could care less , just like our Village Board is just looking at it as more tax money coming in, nothing more. Oh, and by the way, talk about a welcome to our town, how about the panhandlers at the stoplights by Menards...... Real nice.
Richard R February 22, 2013 at 04:36 pm
Jane!......Jane!........Is that you? A positive post from you, Oh it is a new day and a new year. :-)
NOTE: The above post, is intended as lighthearted sarcasm.
Oswego Resident February 22, 2013 at 05:49 pm
If you lived in Oswego when Mason Square first opened, you would know that there was a massage parlour at that time. It got booted out fairly quickly for violating the centers "standards". Seems the standards have been lowered these days.
On the thread topic - Congrats Chris. Hope you eventually run out of your neediest clients.
Christina February 22, 2013 at 11:51 pm
How can ppl be so rude when ur out there trying to help others GOD BLESS U AND UR AWESOME KINDNESS !!!
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