Southport tattoo shop repeatedly barred from opening over zoning issue

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — A business owner in Southport is at a loss after his reopening was delayed.

Back in March, Nicholas Chism began renovating a space he intended make his new tattoo shop—Feros Ferio Ink. 

After getting a health inspection, fire permit, and paying fees, Chism opened his doors.  

“It wasn’t until we got our sign hung, and you know, we were thriving that we got a notice that said it was time for us to shut the door until they could do a zoning meeting,” Chism said. 

The city told Chism his business was a zoning violation, and that nowhere in the city is zoned for tattoo shops.  

Per state law, the city set up a rezoning request meeting to give surrounding residents the opportunity to comment.  

That meeting was supposed to happen Tuesday—but it didn’t.  

“Disheartening is an understatement, you know? We’ve complied in every way,” Chism expressed. “We have an $1100 illuminated sign out there that’s covered with plywood right now.”  

WWAY reached out to the a spokesperson with Southport, who said the city made a “clerical error” that caused the meeting to be rescheduled.   

Chism already had hundreds of people to sign in favor of his request—with dozens more planning to attend the meeting.  

“These people are taking off work early, called out of work. You know, it’s a big deal. It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s kind of a slap in the face because like, I’ve already been closed for three months in the busiest time of the year,” Chism said. 

The rescheduled meeting will be held on September 8 at 4:30 p.m. 113 West Moore Street. 

The full statement sent to WWAY from city spokesperson Chyanne Ketchum reads:  

Quasi-judicial evidentiary hearings, in this case for a special use permit, have specific public notice requirements that must be followed for due process. These requirements include posting a sign on the subject property and mailing notices of the hearing to the applicant, to the owner of the property, if they are not the applicant, and to owners of land abutting the subject property. The mailings must be deposited in the mail no less than 10 days and no more than 25 days prior to the hearing. The letters were sent within the proper time frame, although due to a clerical error they were not delivered to the abutting property owners. Without proper notice we cannot hold the hearing.  

Staff is making every effort to reschedule the meeting within the next two weeks to meet new hearing notice requirements.