Controversy Over Tattoo Business Location in Ocean Springs

Matt Stebly is the great grandson of the city’s renowned Walter Anderson, and a world famous tattoo artist himself. Stebly has recently begun facing rejection in a city that typically welcomes art with open arms. He wants to relocate his tattoo shop from St. Martin, to the middle of downtown Ocean Springs.

"I was raised in downtown Ocean Springs, and I want to have my business there and be able to walk around..just the feeling. It’s more of that than anything," says Stebly.

Zoning laws allow bars and night clubs to open downtown, but prohibit tattoo shops. Stebly is now asking the city to make an exception. “I think the overall feel through the town is they are very supportive, but there are a few key people who are opposed to it," he says.

Those key people happen to be some members of the planning commission. In a 3 to 2 vote, five of the eight commissioners voted against changing the laws.

While zoning laws prohibit Matt Stebly from opening up his tattoo parlor shop in the downtown area, if you go just a block east on Government Street, tattoo parlors are allowed.

Recently Ocean Springs mayor, Connie Moran, took to Facebook asking for the public’s opinion of Stebly’s move downtown. The outpouring of support in stebly’s favor, keeps him fighting for his art.

“Until I see that there’s not going to be anyway that we can be down there, I’m just going to keep moving forward," proclaims Stebly.

Mayor Connie Moran hopes city leaders will look past the negative stigma often associated with the world of tattoo art, and see it as a positive opportunity for the city. “We need to look at the future. We need to be open about it. Certainly Matt Stebly is a world renowned artist in his craft. Why wouldn’t we welcome him in downtown Ocean Springs? We are an arts community after all."