STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Today is Friday the 13th, so if you are superstitious, you may believe it to be an unlucky day but for some, they are looking for new ink.
A line forms outside of Rock’n Willy’s Tattoo and Piercing Shop in Stroudsburg, everyone waiting for one thing.
"I’m here to get a tattoo! I mean this is great, Friday the 13th is awesome," said Rhiannon Malarkey, Jim Thorpe.
Malarkey is one of many that run toward tattoo shops when a Friday date lands on 13.
"It’s like Black Friday at a tattoo shop," said Led Perez, tattoo artist at Rock’n Willy’s Tattoo and Piercing Shop.
Drone sightings in Monroe County? Residents asked to call 911The buzz of tattoo guns is a sound that doesn’t stop on a day like this.
"I got a little tooth with a 13 in it on my wrist," said Dominic Castaldo, tattoo apprentice at Rock’n Willy’s Tattoo and Piercing Shop.
Due to the superstitious event, the shop is bringing in deals across the board.
"We give them good pricing and it brings them in for more tattoos and more piercings. It’s just something that kind of sparks everybody to come into the shop, especially in the slow season," said Anthony Paternoster, owner of Rock’n Willy’s Tattoo and Piercing Shop.
Customers want tattoos that start at just $31 bucks.
"Getting flowers and a little scaredy cat,” said Carlos Laboy, Saylorsburg.
And also piercings.
"Usually Friday the 13th, we average between 115 to 200 piercings throughout the day. We do $25 cash piercings and all basic piercings," said Jason Safin, shop manager/piercer at Rock’n Willy’s Tattoo and Piercing Shop.
This Friday the 13 is a little different, as it falls during the holiday season, bringing in some not-so-typical designs.
"We’re trying to appeal to not only just the ominous Friday the 13th but also the cheerful, Christmas story that everyone wants to see and hear and feel during this time," said Perez.
Regardless of the month it falls in, the crowd is satisfying the itch for some new ink from a group eager to please.
"I’ve never worked with a better crew in my entire life. Thirty-four years, these are the best guys I’ve ever worked with," said Paternoster.
Rock’n Willy’s also has a shop in East Stroudsburg. Both shops will be open until 9 p.m. and depending on crowds, they may extend the special into the weekend.