A new tattoo studio blending Eastern and Western styles has opened in the heart of Shepherdstown, bringing a unique artistic vision to a town previously without a dedicated tattoo shop.
Tooth & Nail Tattoo officially opened its doors Sunday at 133 W. German Street, led by veteran artists Tre Lapole and Josh Stevens — longtime friends who bring nearly three decades of combined experience to the venture.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” said Stevens. “I think this will be a positive environment for both of us to grow.”
Stevens, who has been tattooing for 16 years, draws heavily from his Japanese heritage, creating modern interpretations of traditional Japanese tattoo styles. By incorporating elements from daily life, he aims to evolve his aesthetic while introducing Eastern tattoo culture to the Blue Ridge Mountains region.
“I choose to make Japanese tattoos in a more modern way,” Stevens explained. “It’s not about Shepherdstown specifically, but I think this area can support and inspire that kind of work.”
Lapole, who has been tattooing for 13 years, specializes in Western-style tattoos. After training in Martinsburg and gaining experience in Washington, D.C., he returned to West Virginia with a clear goal: to establish a shop devoted solely to the art of tattooing.
“There hasn’t been a tattoo shop here that’s been open to the general public and focused exclusively on tattooing for some time,” said Lapole. “We wanted to create something for the love of tattooing.”
That passion is reflected in the shop’s carefully curated aesthetic. The interior is painted in soothing pink and green tones — a contrast to the edgy name — and decorated with original tattoo designs. “We have a scary name but a really cute aesthetic,” Lapole said. “I want everyone to feel welcome here.”
The idea for Tooth & Nail had been years in the making, according to Valerie Lapole, Tre’s wife and co-founder. “This has been something he’s thought about for a long time,” she said. “We’ve actively been working toward it for the past year.”
The couple discovered the downtown location with help from a friend, T.J. Vance, who owns a neighboring business. The central location, they say, was key to their vision of creating a welcoming, accessible space for the community.
With Lapole’s Western-style tattooing and Stevens’ Eastern-inspired designs, Tooth & Nail Tattoo offers a broad spectrum of artistry aimed at meeting the needs of diverse clients.
“We want to take care of our local community and care for our clients to the best of our ability,” Lapole said.
Tooth & Nail Tattoo is open Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m., and welcomes both walk-ins and appointments.
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