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Victory Industries Tattoo and Apparel
Victory Industries is the mom and pop version of a Toronto tattoo shop. Which is to say that the quote-unquote mom and pop in question are into a '50s aesthetic that includes antiques, rockabilly culture, motorcycles and, clearly, tattoos. Victory Industries is just a small storefront with antiques sitting in the window and two motorcycles typically parked out front, and it's nestled along Dundas West, a few streets down from Archive Tattoo.
"We wanted it to be distinctively us," says Cassidy Ritz, who opened the shop with her partner Kevin Harper, the shop's main tattooist, back in April. "It doesn't look like much, but it's everything." The shop, like Ritz and Harper, is humble. Partitions running along the cozy shop separate the tattoo "rooms," while a couch and magazines line the front area alongside the classic pinball machine and other antiques.
The back of the shop is comprised of a growing selection of clothing and accessories. The clothing is curated by Ritz, who is looking for other local, vintage-influenced designers to grow the collection.
The three tattoo artists are Harper, Ty Austin, and David, the shop's apprentice. Harper, 47, got his start by tattooing out of his apartment some 15 years ago. He owes his real start--which is to say tattooing outside of his apartment--to Toronto tattoo icon, Bill Baker, who is now at Pearl Harbour in Kensington. Baker was doing a two-year-long back piece on Harper's girlfriend at the time, when Harper got the courage to ask Baker for advice.
"He was pretty free with his information," says Harper, after he admitted to working out of his apartment. "I totally owe him." Baker later helped Harper get his foot in the door at King of Fools, which is where he started his career. Harper also received a lot of advice and tattoo equipment from one of Toronto's pioneer tattoo artists, Beachcomber Bill. Beachcomber, little known today, was the artist in the '60s and '70s who ran Beachcombers Tattoo Studio on Queen West, which closed its doors in the mid-'80s.
"We don't want to be the best, necessarily," says Ritz, sinking into the vintage couch in the front of the shop. "We just want to give people good tattoos and a good experience." Thus, their come-as-your-are open-door policy and traditional-style tattoos. "I'm not here to set the road on fire," adds Harper. "I'm just here to make people happy with good tattoos."
Writing and photography by Ryan Bolton
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To one else drop by for a great tattoo in a fun freindy enviroment.
http://www.victoryindustries.ca/images/Tyler/012.jpg
http://www.victoryindustries.ca/images/Kevin/007.jpg
... I think I'd keep walking on down to Archive and wait for some work by David Glantz.
Remember: Judge your artist by the worst work in their portfolio; 'cause that could very well end up on you!
We are so very proud of you. Much love always, Granny & Grandad
happy inking to all, and to all a good heal.
However, I'd like to clear a few things up in regards to the comments:
1. Quite saying "tat". Judging by the defensive comments here, I'm assuming this is a crowd that appreciates the artistry of the form. Don't debase it by giving it a "hip" name.
2. You cannot judge the quality of a tattoo based on how many people on the street stop and tell you they're great. In the end, the wearer is the only opinion that matters and the majority of people who tell you they like your "tats" actually only like that you HAVE them and rarely have enough attention to detail to be able to identify any of them let alone what they like about them. NOt to mention they're exposure is so limited they have no frame of reference.
3. Toronto has one of the most talented pool of tattooers in the world. It also has a staggering amount of un-pretentious shops with a "curated" aesthetic. This shop is in no way original on that front, however the inclusion of curated goods that reflect the shops aesthetic is a nice touch.
Again, good luck to the crew - they've had some of the best guidance you can get and I hope they make the most of it.
PS - +1 for the granny & granddad endorsement!
Oh and this gem: "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all" Here in the world of adults, you learn to accept and incorporate criticism into improving yourself. Bad linework is bad linework. Its jagged and appears blown out in spots. If you are so softly raised that critical input hurts you to hear, you'd better leave the more public forums like this one, you'll never find happiness.
(Authentic Thai Tattooing)
I have spent the last few days trying to hunt you down to see if you were still doing tattoos. Very sorry to hear about your cancer and that you are no longer working at what you loved. My father got his first tattoo from you around 1976, he still carried a gift certificate for $5 off in his wallet for all these years. He lost his battle with cancer on November 16th and when we were talking last week he was hoping my son could have the same tattoo done by you. Sadly, I see this won't be something we can do but I hope you can recommend someone good that may be able to do it.
Thoughts are with you
Sherri
You first tattoo'd me in '74 in your Toronto place, then again in '75 adding to my back stuff. Never did get it finished but hey thanks for the memories. Oh and I live in the UK and have never returned to Canada after '75.
Wish you well...........
Barry Marsh