Pain moves from Cranberry Highway to Onset Avenue

Jaime Rebhan
Jun 2, 2010
Perfect Pain tattoo artists Lenny "Tattoo" Denson, Keith Kok, and Galen Thompson II in their new shop at 215 Onset Ave. BY JAIME REBHAN
Perfect Pain co-owner Galen Thompson II with children Galen III, 13, Gabriel, 8, and Garrett, 10, who visit the shop often. BY JAIME REBHAN

After just four months at its Cranberry Highway location, Perfect Pain Tattoo and Body Piercing moved the pain to Onset last month, after the owner of its previous building decided to sell.

Though the situation was somewhat stressful, the change was a good one.

"I couldn't ask for a better spot," said Galen Thompson II, who co-owns the 215 Onset Ave. shop with Lenny "Tattoo" Denson.

The shop now attracts foot traffic and curious Onset Village shoppers, something it just couldn't do on Cranberry Highway, which is not exactly pedestrian-friendly.

Thompson attributed the successful move to the help of family and friends, as well as Steinberg Builders, the company that renovated the new location.

Though both are long-time tattoo artists, Perfect Pain is the first shop either has owned.

"We've both been tattooing for awhile and were sick of working for other people," Thompson said.

The shop specializes in custom and freehand tattoos and portraits, as well as several types of body piercings. The shop will soon add body jewelry to its list of offerings.

"You name it, we can do it," said Denson, a self-taught artist who got his first ink while serving in the Army. He's been tattooing for 25 years.
Both owners are excited for the possibilities the new shop will bring as well as the busy summer season.
Thompson, who has 17 years of tattooing under his belt, said he loves the people he meets and the atmosphere of tattoo shops.
As for Denson? "I just like working," he said. "We're just trying to do good, clean work for a good price."
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