It was in 2018 when tattoo artist Zhuo Dan Ting and her husband Joshua Thompson decided to make Historic Folsom the home of their Ms. Tings Shanghai Tattoo shop. Just five years after the couple expanded their business here all the was from China, they celebrated expansion as well as ownership Saturday evening with a Choose Folsom ribbon cutting at their fabulous new building in the Historic District.
Originally located in an upstairs space at 718 Sutter Street, Zhuo and Joshua took the plunge and purchased their very own building at 305 Wool Street in the District. Over the last several months, the couple has invested countless hours putting their own touches on the new space, one that is much larger than their original space that they had outgrown. The efforts that couple has put into the Historic Folsom space has not gone unnoticed as they have brough new life to the already distinctive building that is perched up on the hillside.
“It’s been exciting to see the Shanghai Tattoo footprint grow since they originally opened up here in the district,” said Judy Collinsworth, Executive Director of the Folsom Historic District Association. “They expanded their initial location and because of their popularity they quickly outgrew it.”
Shanghai Tattoo originated far from Folsom, with its first location becoming a reality in 2007 in Shanghai, China. When they originally decided to expand their shop back then, they looked at many options. Those options included places like Australia; Germany; Portland, Oregon on others. They soon narrowed down their choice to Folsom, a location that made sense as it was near Sacramento, where Thompson was born and raised.
“We originally looked around downtown Sacramento, but it was a little oversaturated with tattoo shops already, and we didn’t want to add more,” Joshua explained in an earlier Choose Folsom article shortly after they originally opened. At the time he had some family members that had moved to Folsom which led them to take a look at it and they both fell in love with the charm of the whole Historic District.
The shop is primarily an appointment only studio, but they do accept walk-ins in most cases if their artists are not booked with appointments at the time. Those appointments are booking consistently with their many talented artists in addition to Ting herself. Their work has shown their incredible artistic talents and attention to detail since they first opened. “It is always better to call ahead to ensure availability,” they suggest to customers perusing their website considering a tattoo. Even if one has to wait a day or two to get an appointment, it is very likely worth the wait, just look at the many samples of their work on their website and social media pages.
Zhuo, better known as Ms. Ting, and her fellow artists specialize in large scale to smaller scale tattoos in all styles, such as black and grey photo realism, color realism, Asian traditional, American traditional, neo-traditional, geometric, biomechanical, bio organic, watercolor, abstract, black-work, trash polka and more. When it comes to her own work, Ting specializes in the black and white photorealism. In the world of tattoo artistry, portrait artists are far and few. When it comes to the work you will see on the walls and in the samples at Shanghai, there is no doubt Ting’s work is a labor of love that produces extraordinary results, all by hand. You won’t find generic computer or artificial intelligence created work here.
“Got my very first tattoo with Shanghai Tattoo and from start to finish the experience was awesome. Both Ting and Joshua are both amazing, helpful, open, welcoming, and Ting does amazing work,” cited customer Nina Strom who gives the business a big five star review. “Friendly, efficient, .great quality and super clean and professional. I can’t wait to plan my next one…Shanghai Tattoo rocks!”
Much like the previous location, the new digs for Shanghai offer a relaxed atmosphere. Customers walk into a vibrant and bright studio with numerous chairs, surrounded by colorful walls and décor. As they did before, they offer a very “chill” vibe to their customers, which include a wide range of age groups, both men and women, all of which are welcomed to the family feel from the moment they walk in the door.
Saturday evening was a ribbon cutting quite different than others. The event welcomed residents, members of the community, representation from city, county and state leaders. Guests enjoyed an art show, delicious barbecue, a tattoo raffle and plenty of visuals. Among the visuals were lavish costumes and decorations embracing plenty of Chinese tradition and history, including the talents of Teng Fei Lion Dance of Sacramento that performed. The spirit of the event showed the spirit that both Ting and Thompson bring the community.
“Joshua and Ting have become even more involved in the district as property owners now,” Collinsworth told Folsom Times following Saturday’s event. “They recently hosted a merchant meeting in their new building and most of the merchants that attended had never been in the building before. I had toured it in the past and really appreciate all the work they’ve put into the building. They are wonderful assets to our downtown Historic District.”
Earlier this month, the Folsom Merchants District Association named Shanghai the winner of the most patriotic decorated business contest that was held in conjunction with Historic Folsom Hometown Parade. Despite being very business putting the finishing touches on their new building, the couple took the time to deck the exterior out in a massive dose of red, white and blue.
“They love the Folsom Historic District they call home and their community spirit really shines through, each and every day,” Collinsworth said.
Now that their official ribbon cutting is complete, Zhou, Joshua and their talented staff are looking forward to meeting new customers and seeing many of their regulars in the new space. Those that want to learn more about them. There you can meet their team of artists that offer all types of work, see their work or book an appointment should check out their website at www.Shanghaitattoo916.com. You can also call them at 916-370-9658.
Photos Courtesy: Choose Folsom, Shanghai Tattoo, Sac Lion Dance,Folsom Historic District Assoc.