THE ARTS DISTRICT

The final word on Zootz

By Macaela Flanagan

Although Zootz was closed down and boarded up almost two years ago, the space has remained empty — but not for long. Voted the Phoenix’s “Best Tattoo Parlor” this year, Sanctuary Tattoo will soon inhabit the long-neglected space.

The once popular night spot met its demise when Portland Stage Company bought the building at 21-37 Forest Avenue and issues with rent rates and leases hit the fan. Turmoil ensued between the former lease-owner of Zootz, George Sweeting, and PSC. Now, as this battle has finally come to a close, PSC is able to rent the space again and happier times are on the horizon.

Sanctuary will close its current 34 Danforth Street location on December 21, 2002 with high hopes of reopening on Forest Avenue on January 3, 2003. Jennifer Moore and Chris Dingwell, co-owners of Sanctuary, have headed extensive renovations over the past two and a half months. But if you’re anxious to revisit your nostalgic memories of Zootz, think again. “People who have been in Zootz are going to be amazed, we’ve taken a very different approach and it’s a very different style,” Moore declares.

Moore and Dingwell, along with tattoo artist Wilhelm Scherer, are excited about the move but at the same time insist Sanctuary will not change. “It’s going to remain an art gallery tattoo studio,” Moore promises.

For a business that has cemented a popular reputation in Portland, why move? “[We’ve] been pretty cramped, all of us will have more room right now,” says Moore, who also adds that another benefit of relocating is the possibility of “maybe adding another artist, potentially.”

So although George Sweeting hoped we’d believe differently, Moore insists, “PSC are superb, marvelous landlords,” making the process “about as pain-free as it can possibly be.” That said, anyone who fantasized about Zootz someday reopening its doors at the Forest Avenue location can finally lay those dreams to rest. Sanctuary is giving the old place a new look, a new purpose, and a new name.