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Brendan Klein and Arthur Errichetto have opened a tattoo parlor, Ink Asylum, on Main Street in Dalton.

Ink Asylum Creates Tattoos of Any Style or Design

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — In a small building on the busy Main Street sits a shop opened by two local tattoo artists who strive to create a comfortable, fun, and friendly experience whether it's your first tattoo or a returning customer. 
 
Brendan Klein and Arthur Errichetto opened the parlor, Ink Asylum located at  601 Main St,, in August after working together for many years. 
 
While on the search for a space they looked at several locations but the parking, traffic and visibility of the Main street location outshined the other spaces. They believe the visibility encourages curious customers to stop in and explore tattoo options. 
 
The duo say they bring customers designs to life at a fair price and don't specialize in one style. They do all kinds of designs from micro tattoos to full-sleeve realism designs.
 
"Our clients get what our clients want," they said. 
 
"The thing I like about tattooing is being able to take a client's thought-up design and make it a reality for that client," Errichetto said. "The stories behind the tattoos from each client, but most of all, the reaction the client has after the tattoo is finished is what makes everything worth it."
 
The artists say they developed an "impeccable" reputation from the surrounding towns. When it came time to venture on their own, this reputation followed them and helped them gain even more clients. 
 
They would not be as successful as they have been without the praise that their customers have spread, Klein said.
 
"We've been getting a lot of clients from the local Dalton area, which we didn't get in Pittsfield ….[Errichetto and I] both have our own clients and following that follow us to begin with so a lot of those people stayed with us," Klein said. 
 
"And then a lot of the locals, a lot of the hilltown area,  that we didn't have clients from before and a lot of good word of mouth. Every time we do great tattoos. All their friends and family are looking to get great tattoos also."
 
They want to continue to grow so they can stay in the business for many years to come. The path took a lot of determination and not giving up despite the obstacles that came their way. Take those obstacles and look at them as opportunities, Klein said.
 
"There's always a new obstacle to overcome and we just keep doing it. We just keep leaping hurdles and moving forward," Klein said. 
 
Errichetto is looking forward to becoming one of the best artists he can be with this business, he said. 
 
"To walk out in public and hear people talking about my work and how much they love the work that's being done and coming out of Ink Asylum," Errichetto said. 
 
Examples of their work can be found on their Facebook page. Make an appointment by calling 
413-300-0099. 
 
About the Artists
 
Klein has worked in drawing, painting, sculpting, and other mediums. He was 27 when he started to get serious about his art and tattooing seemed like the perfect career. 
 
"It's a career that I actually enjoy. I actually love coming to work every single day. So that's what makes it awesome," he said.
 
Errichetto was always into drawing whether it was animals, floral designs, or just random pictures from his mind, he said. 
 
He was introduced to a tattoo artist from Adams when he was in college. After showing the artist his portfolio, Errichetto immediately started an apprenticeship under him. 

Tags: new business,   tattoos,   

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Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.

The other is expected next week.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.

Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.

"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.

Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.

The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.

While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.

The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.

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