FACT 158

(Pictured: Bob Roberts with Paul Sayce)

In 2004 Kari Barba of Anaheim, California became the new owner of Bert Grimms,  America’s longest operating tattoo studio. It first opened in 1927 on the Pike in Long Beach, California. Bob Shaw moved to the Pike to work with Bert in 1964, and bought if from him in 1969. Over the years, artists of the calibre of Dave Gibson, Zeke Owen, Bob Roberts, Don Noland and Col. Todd, to name just a few, have tattooed in this legendary studio. Larry Shaw and his brother sold the tattooing landmark to Kari after the death of their mother, Wanda, who was the owner in 2002. The studio had closed its doors in 2003, until Kari stepped in to save it.  Kari plans to reopen it as a museum and tattoo studio. Kari will tattoo there after the renovation work is completed.