LAKEVILLE, MN – On Friday, the grand opening of Minnesota’s first women-only tattoo shop, The Asylum, took place in downtown Lakeville. Members of the Lakeville Chamber, Mayor Luke Hellier, and friends and family gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the occasion.
Owned and managed by Lakeville native Alisha Perkins, The Asylum opened its doors earlier this month. Perkins, who has always been passionate about creativity and tattoos, decided to pursue this venture at the age of 40.
“I’ve always been a creative soul and loved tattoos,” Perkins said. “I turned 40 and on a whim decided I’d give it a shot.”
The idea for The Asylum was sparked by Perkins’ own experiences. After a challenging visit to a tattoo shop with her mother and aunt—who felt intimidated—she was motivated to create a more welcoming environment for women.
“The impetus for the idea was just trying to create a safe space where women can feel vulnerable and participate in something that has long been a masculine domain,” Perkins explained. “For something so intimate and permanent, it needs a little empathy.”
The shop aims to evoke the ambiance of a boutique or spa, complete with candles and music by Taylor Swift. Perkins described it as a space where women can comfortably share their experiences without feeling self-conscious.
“It’s a space for women to be women, to chat about all the things women go through,” she said. “The shop allows us to let our guard down a little.”
The Asylum is spacious enough to accommodate larger groups, which Perkins intentionally designed. Her largest group so far includes a book club of ten women scheduled for tattoos in November.
“Women travel in packs,” Perkins noted. “I needed a large enough space for women to bring their mom or sister with them.”
Before opening The Asylum, Perkins worked in a smaller studio after completing a 200-hour tattoo apprenticeship in March.
“Growing up in Lakeville, I’ve always dreamed of owning a space downtown,” Perkins shared. “When I found out this space was available, I knew it was perfect, and it all worked out.”
Perkins specializes in the “fine line” tattoo technique, which requires a steady hand and precision.
“A lot of artists won’t do fine line tattoos because there’s not much room for error,” she explained. “It’s been a humbling learning curve since I started.”
Her clientele ranges widely, from 18-year-olds getting their first tattoos to women over 70. Notably, Perkins had the opportunity to tattoo Lakeville native and two-time Olympic swimmer Regan Smith earlier this month.
The name of the shop reflects Perkins’ commitment to mental health and creating a safe space.
“I believe we’re all a little crazy,” Perkins said. “For a long time, people thought it was crazy for women to have tattoos. When people are escaping a bad situation, they’re seeking asylum, a peaceful place where they can feel safe.”
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