There’s a new custom tattoo studio in downtown DeLand! Liquid Gold Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery officially opened its doors on Oct. 4, and they’re celebrating their two month anniversary with an official Ribbon-Cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Thursday Dec. 5. The ceremony will be presented by the Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce, complete with dignitaries from the City of DeLand, staff from the DeLand Mainstreet Association and all the special people who helped get the Studio open. The event will be catered by DeLand Bagel, and Liquid Gold is even offering free tattoos to the first 20 people in line — and free gift certificates to everyone who stops by the Studio all weekend!

To call Liquid Gold Tattoo new isn’t exactly fair. Owned and operated by industry veteran Eli Tobias, Liquid Gold Tattoo is a shiny new iteration of his wildly successful Black Chapel Tattoo Studio franchise, winner of Orlando’s Number One Tattoo Studio in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Black Chapel Tattoo was known for its high quality custom tattoos and community involvement, with locations in Winter Park, downtown Orlando and downtown Cocoa Beach.

Located in the heart of downtown DeLand, on Rich Avenue — three doors west of Woodland Blvd., and adjoining the big County parking lot — Liquid Gold now occupies the space that was once Art Studio 308, a quilt shop and further back in time, a bicycle shop. After two months of remodeling, the building, located at 115 W. Rich Ave., has been transformed into a beautiful Studio that is not only a tattoo studio, but also an art gallery — showcasing walls full of art created by local artists. Liquid Gold Tattoo is a large, slick, clean shop that was created to be a warm, inviting space that welcomes clients of all ages and all walks of life.

Eli relocated from Orlando to DeLand in 2015 to escape the hustle and bustle of Orange County, and to start a family. His two boys, now aged 9 and 5, helped build the Studio, and Eli hopes to turn the business over to them some day. Plans to expand the brand to nearby cities are already in the works.

Liquid Gold Tattoo currently offers custom tattoos every day from noon to midnight, and will soon add on body piercing, permanent makeup and henna tattoo services as well. Eli’s business model of only hiring the most qualified, experienced and well-rounded artists shines through in the tattoos created by his current tattooists Ryan Beatty and Devon Lozeau — both of whom have many years of experience and knowledge in tattooing all styles of art. More can be learned about the Studio and its artists at www.LiquidGoldTattoo.com, by calling them at 386-279-7517, or stopping by any day of the week between noon and midnight.