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Sep 16, 2023

‘They protected our community’: After more than 30 years in Allentown, National Tattoo Supply to close

National Tattoo Supply is closing after more than three decades of business in

National Tattoo Supply is closing after more than three decades of business in Allentown, owners announced in a November Facebook post.

Alex Syphers | Special to Ctnow.com

Bottles of tattoo ink.

When Brandon Burr was learning how to tattoo, it was the early 1990s — before the internet connected artists to each other and the supplies they needed.

"You couldn't just go online and buy tattoo equipment or supplies," said Burr, owner of Critical Acclaim Tattoos in Allentown. "They had National Tattoo Supply and you had to know people. It wasn't just like you just walk in and buy equipment — you had to be vouched for by other artists."

National Tattoo Supply sold only to professional tattoo artists. At a time when there were only a handful of tattoo shops in the Lehigh Valley, that exclusivity was purposeful, Burr said, working to keep standards high in a state with little to no laws or guidelines on the books.

"Even though it was difficult to get into these places to buy things, there was a reason for it," he said. "They protected our community."

But now, after more than 30 years in Allentown, National Tattoo Supply, 485 Business Park Lane, is closing its doors. Several local artists said the closure isn't surprising, as it follows a sharp increase in tattoo supplies available through online retailers.

"The industry has gone through many changes over the last few years," notes a letter from the owners on National's website. "I will not say it is just one reason but the continued growth of many reasons that put hardships on this company.

"Between the effects of COVID, the growing prices of product and shipping and a few other issues has been the reason for this decision. We (Don and Flo Makofske) are now in our 80s and believe it is time to enjoy full retirement."

The Morning Call could not immediately reach National's owners for comment.

Established in August 1974 in Long Island, New York, the Makofskes moved the business to Allentown in 1991, according to the company's website.

"We are always looking for the best in tattoo equipment and supplies and we welcome any suggestions from you," according to their website. "We want to thank you, our valued customer and friend, for your part in the success of this company. We promise to continue to offer the products that you require at the best possible cost to you.

"We ask that you continue to allow us to serve you and that you do your best to maintain the professional standards so important to the future well-being of the tattoo profession."

National's only requirement for customers is that they must be a professional tattoo artist, according to the website. National never advertised their products — relying solely on in-store and website sales.

Chris Vangeli, owner of Amaryllis Tattoo Artistry & Design, in Palmer Township, said it feels like "a small mom-and-pop place closing."

A customer for more than a decade, though not very regularly, Vangeli said it was a convenient place to buy supplies — until he could get deliveries right to his shop.

The global tattoo supply market was valued at $853.1 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2031, according to a recent report from Oregon-based Allied Market Research. Over the last few decades, as online retailers have grown, they’ve shouldered out smaller supply businesses.

"There are various e-commerce platforms available to purchase the tattoo accessories such as Amazon, Alibaba and Flipkart," the report notes. "Easy accessibility, and heavy discounts and offers provided by these online platforms boost the adoption of tattoo accessories, thus serving as a popular medium for purchase. The most popular distribution channel is online sales channel in today's era."

Unlike National, many tattoo supply retailers do not require artists to prove they are professionals before ordering. That can be a problem, artists said.

"Not to get all sappy, but you know going [to National] physically, you get close to the people behind the desk because it's like it was family," Burr said. "You go online and you buy things and that's great.

"But at the same time, now you have people that aren't tattoo artists, that aren't trained in blood-borne pathogens, that don't take it seriously, that are tattooing people out of their house. And online [sales] really allowed all that."

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states with no laws regulating tattoo shops. It's a stark difference from New Jersey, which requires tattoo artists to be licensed, and the shop or studio subject to local health department inspections.

Through National's vouching system, the owners were able to make sure tattoo supplies got into the hands of trained artists.

"It was just that they cared about the industry," Vangeli said. "They weren't selling to just somebody who worked in his kitchen — you had to prove you are a professional. It stood for something, at least in their minds, that they cared about the direction the industry was going."

National's owners "went above and beyond" to help protect and maintain the standards of the Valley's tattooing industry, Burr said.

"They protected the general public from getting disease," he said. "Now anybody can buy anything on Wish and eBay and Amazon and just tattoo each other. And, it's not just the art, it's the medical side, and they really went above and beyond to help preserve that."

With National's closure, Valley tattoo artists will be left with mainly online retailers to meet their supply needs, unless they’re willing to travel.

"It's a shame," Burr said. "It's like living in the middle of nowhere and hey, there's a Wawa five minutes away. And now you’re living in the middle of nowhere and you have to order everything online because there's no other direct competition — the closest would be Jersey or New York City."

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at [email protected].

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