Montreal’s DFA Tattoos in jeopardy, fundraiser launched

Montreal’s ongoing shutdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus has impacted countless businesses across the city, with many entire industries shutting up shop entirely. While some companies have switched over to online retail and delivery, businesses like DFA Tattoos don’t have that option. To compound matters, the downtown Montreal tattoo shop doesn’t qualify for government assistance due to the structure of the business, leaving the owners unsure if they will be able to stay afloat.

With the co-operative setup of the shop, each tattoo artist at DFA essentially works for themselves, meaning the business doesn’t qualify for the emergency measures put forth by the government. Without that source of funding, the owners aren’t sure how they will be able to continue paying their operating costs during this shutdown period, which may continue for months.

“This keeps us all up at night,” says co-owner Melissa Valiquette. “This is our livelihood.”

DFA Tattoos has been in business for five years and has moved locations three times in that period, expanding each time to accommodate their growing clientele (the shop is currently located on St. Catherine East, close to Berri-UQAM). Given that that tattoo business requires close physical contact, the owners of DFA made the decision to temporarily close up the shop even before the mandated government shutdown of nonessential businesses.

“Providing a safe, clean and comfortable space for our clients has always been our top priority,” explained co-owner Angus Byers. “So it was a no-brainer to close down when those priorities would be called into question.”

In order to keep paying their expenses during this shutdown period, the shop has launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign, looking to raise $15,000 to stay afloat.

“The bills are still due, despite the fact that we all need to stay home,” adds co-owner Sean Arsenian. “If we can’t reach our goal, then this beautiful thing we made together may simply go away and that would be devastating to us.”

Donations to DFA tattoos can be made here. For more information on the shop and to check out examples from their artists, head to the DFA Facebook page.