Tattoos, laser removal and facials? This Bradenton family does it all at Crowe’s Ink

Ink on or ink off, it’s no problem at Bradenton’s newest tattoo studio.

Chad Crowe, a tattoo artist with 20 years under his belt, and Kelly Crowe, a registered nurse with a passion for tattoo removal and face-glamming, are here to help their clients feel good in their skin.

“It’s really rewarding for Chad to give people fabulous tattoos,” Kelly said. “It’s just as rewarding for me to help someone remove something they’re really not happy about.”

“It can change someone’s life in a lot of ways,” Chad added.

Drawn by sunsets, seashores and year-round motorcycling weather, the Crowes moved from Maryland and opened Crowe’s Ink in West Bradenton in June 2021.

The Crowe daughters, Shaney and Talia, also came along to help run the studio.

But the budding family business faced an ugly setback when Hurricane Ian ripped the roof off of the building in September 2022.

“There was extensive water damage, and all our equipment was ruined. The insurance company denied our claim. We got no help from FEMA,” Kelly said.

Instead, the Crowes paid out of pocket to get all new equipment. The studio was out of commission for six months while the building was repaired. It reopened in March of this year at 5008 Manatee Avenue West.

“We’re still trying to bounce back and recover,” Kelly said.

Tattoo shop draws locals, vacationers and families

Frequent clients at Crowe’s Ink include locals looking for their first tattoo and vacationers who want a lasting memento of their visit to Anna Maria Island. Families often stop in to get tattooed together.

Some have planned trips specifically to get tattooed at Crowe’s Ink.

Tommy Anderson, who was having his shin inked on a Wednesday afternoon, might just be the shop’s biggest fan.

“I ran into Chad and he saw that I had tattoos and handed me a card,” Anderson said. “I came in and put him to the test right away. It turned out great, and I’ve been coming back ever since.”

The shop’s online reviews have been equally positive, with all five-star ratings.

Anderson said he sometimes stops by “just to say hello.” But before long, he’s back in the tattoo chair.

“As long as I’m here, might as well,” he said.

So far, Anderson has been tattooed at Crowe’s Ink about 30 times. He points to pieces adorning his skin made by every artist who has worked at the shop since it opened.

His newest ink adds swirling clouds to a scene of a lighthouse, waves and a grinning skull. It’s in the bold, bright and punchy tattoo style known as “American traditional.”

Chad Crowe says he and his team can accommodate just about any tattoo taste or style.

“The shop that I learned in had eight or nine different artists with different styles. I do everything,” Chad said.

Those include black and gray, full color, new and old school styles, freehand tattoos, portraits and cover-ups.

The shop has three tattoo artists, including Chad. He says he is always looking for apprenticeship candidates who are interested in learning the craft.

“If someone’s really interested and driven to do this, I’d like to give away what I know,” Crowe said. “You have to learn how to pull somebody’s idea out of their head and put it into a piece of artwork.”

Crowe’s Ink also brings laser tattoo removal, laser facials

On the other side of the studio, Crowe’s Ink recently began offering its laser services with a MediYag — a cosmetic laser device from Las Vegas company Medicreations.

The very expensive device was en route during Hurricane Ian and thankfully not present when the storm flooded the studio.

In addition to tattoo removal, it can help remove sun spots, fine lines, acne scars and other skin imperfections, according to a product brochure.

They also offer a carbon fiber facial. Used by celebrities, the increasingly popular treatment rejuvenates skin with a painless, gentle pulse of a laser through a carbon mask that is applied to the face.

“It leaves your skin smooth, fresh and glowing,” Kelly said.

It normally costs $250 per session, but the shop is offering a $100 discount through the end of the year.

Those who want to try out the services at a discount can also stop by on the last Saturday of the month for “Sleeved Out Saturday,” when the studio offers promotions on tattoos and facials. Crowe’s Ink offers a discounted hourly rate all year round for military, law enforcement, first responders and healthcare workers.

Kelly Crowe, who also works full-time as a registered nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital, said she hopes to make Crowe’s Ink her main gig in the future. The Crowes also hope to expand into a larger space in their own building.

Crowe’s Ink is open noon to 8 p.m. daily. You can check out the shop’s work by following Crowe’s Ink on Facebook and Instagram or at crowesinktattoo.com.

Out and about, you might see the Crowes riding their Harley-Davidson or at an alternative rock show in the Tampa Bay area.