A Selbyville barber and tattoo shop is getting back on track, collecting required permits after being shut down in November.
The Division of Public Health has completed inspections and issued a permit on Jan. 24 for Miguelangel Tattoo Art to operate in B & B Barbershop, Unit 203 of 5 W. Church Street.
“The shop was actually issued a conditional permit on Dec. 14 when the site was inspected. Its regular operating permit was granted on Jan. 24 when the permit fee was paid. It expires on Sept. 30 because all permits for body art establishments expire the same day. They will apply for a new permit at that time,” according to Andrea Wojcik of Office of Health and Risk Communication, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health.
(Because of a clerical error, the DPH tattoo permit was written for a Frankford address, but will be corrected to Selbyville.)
The site will be inspected annually and also if any complaints arise.
Miguelangel Garcia Colon will operate the tattoo shop within the existing barber shop, but in a separate, gated space. Business hours will be Tuesday to Saturday. There will be no body piercings.
Selbyville Town Council recently granted the property a conditional use permit for tattoo operations (although no specific conditions were placed on the applicant). That zoning permit stays with the property, even if the business itself leaves.
Much of the building is under renovation, said English. Most of the seven units aren’t being rented because the building needs a new roof and renovations.
B & B Barber Shop was ordered to close on Nov. 28. Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) ordered them to stop performing body art activities without a permit, but then closed the overall barber shop for “grossly unsanitary conditions.” Inspectors had found evidence of a rodent infestation, improper disposal of sharps and other conditions that could cause transmission of disease.
The pest problem is being addressed, Deborah Pepper English told the Selbyville Planning and Zoning Commission. English purchased the Church Street Station shopping center last summer, but more recently became aware of the health and pest problems.
“Before getting any kind of body art done, people should always insist on seeing the DPH permit, which is required to be posted in an obvious place,” DPH Director Karyl Rattay stated last winter.
“Ms. English confirmed that Mr. Garcia would dispose of his needles in a biohazard container,” according to P&Z meeting minutes.
Town Hall has issued a town business license to B & B because Delaware Division of Revenue also issued a state business license.
However, the facility and the barbers themselves must have permits or licenses from the Division of Professional Regulation, under the Department of State. Typically, DPR only licenses the actual practitioners, but it also licenses hair and nail salon facilities.
During site visits, DPR inspects for cleanliness for Division of Public Health; the two state and town business licenses; and DPR licenses for individuals.
“B & B was found not to have the appropriate establishment license from us and we issued a Cease and Desist Order on December 18, 2017. The owner has subsequently come forth to obtain the necessary application for a license, but we have not received anything yet,” as of March 28, according to Doug Denison, Delaware Department of State’s director of community relations.
Cat clinic discovered
The Planning and Zoning Commission were also surprised to hear that two downstairs units were being used for the Forgotten Cats trap/neuter/release program.
Although Pepper suggested that “clinics” are allowed in the historic business zoning district, the town officials disagreed. Only human clinics are permitted in the historic commercial district.
Veterinary services are permitted in the regular commercial district.
Forgotten Cats did not seek a business license to operate there, either.
“No one contacted the town regarding this business/activity prior to starting,” said Town Administrator Stacey Long. “Since it is located within the historic business district, this type of activity/operation/business is not a permitted use within the district.”
Since then, “They received a notice from the code enforcement officer that that is not a permitted use within the district,” said Long. “So as of right now, nothing should be going on [there].”