Oregon Body-Art Center Celebrates Grand Opening in Salem

Salem Tattoo Mall Invites Community to Tour Facility at Noon Sunday

The Oregon Body Art Center is open for business! Photos by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Grand Opening party kicks off Sunday at noon to introduce the Oregon Body-Art Center, the only “tattoo mall” in Salem, Oregon, to the community-at-large.

Mike Kondash turns the key.

“We started the center to have a place where body art practitioners, young and old together, could learn, share, promote and practice their art to help bring our art community closer together,” said Mike Kondash, owner of the Oregon Body-Art Center.

“It is a one-stop tattoo shop where people can visit to find information about all things “body art” in a licensed, safe and clean environment.”

Salem’s only tattoo mall has a “full house” already, with 7 tattoo shops and one barber all under one roof. “We still have one guest spot,” Kondash added.

Each artist / business within the center is independently owned and operated; they make their own appointments. Their hours are flexible and parking is available.

The mall consists of 1700 square feet of body art creativity and has received high praise from clients for the convenient tattoo experience.

“The price is right and the tattoo artists are very nice and helpful,” Andrea, a client wrote. “Mike talked me through everything, had a great idea for my tattoo, and kept me from completely freaking out! I'll definitely be making the drive again for more work. It’s worth it to come from Portland for this!”

The building was a local landmark as a dry cleaning business for over 30 years, and when they closed it didn’t take long for Kondash to consider what options that building could offer.

He pictured modern and spacious tattoo areas, a pleasant environment, complete with Club 13 décor and space for people to come and learn about all forms of body art.

Today, his vision has become a reality. Body-Art procedures are performed with the utmost of care by artists who are experienced, professional and personable in a comfortable and unique environment.

”We love our work, and our clients depend on us. So many people are tired of the BS drama shops,” Kondash said. “Of the over-priced tattoo work, and tattoo schools. We have been doing this longer than anyone in Salem. We create real tattoos for real people.”

The Grand Opening BBQ starts Sunday at noon. Many talented tattoo artists will be on hand to meet as well as members of the Modified Dolls, which is a group that raises money for important causes. There will be refreshments, live entertainment, raffles, vendors and show bikes and show cars.

The tattoo mall is easily accessible on the corner of State and 17th, two major thoroughfares in Salem.