On the Strip: Tattoo shop's hue of blue catches eyes

Driving along Carbondale's Strip, one likely has noticed a building of a particular shade of blue at the intersection of College Street and Illinois Avenue.

Artistic Mind Tattoos, 520 S. Illinois Ave., is the February Keep Carbondale Beautiful Business Bright Spot award winner. Owner John Patrick Beyler, or "J.P.," and crew renovated and finished most of the exterior and interior at the start of 2020. Previously, the crumbling black and white building had been a longtime doctor's office and a spiritual shop before sitting vacant for almost a decade.

"I always wanted to be on the Strip downtown," said J.P., who has owned and operated a tattoo shop since 2008.

The Keep Carbondale Beautiful Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award for enhancing the beauty of the community by means of revitalization of property, new construction, plantings and beautification, upkeep and maintenance, or rehabilitation. To nominate a business or residence to receive the award, call the Keep Carbondale Beautiful office at 525-5525, or email keepcb1326@gmail.com.