When Littleton native Bradly Anderson sketched his first airplane at the age of two, he couldn’t have imagined that same drawing would one day be tattooed on his grandmother’s arm—or that it would mark the beginning of a lifelong creative journey.
Now, more than 30 years later, Anderson has opened Low Side Tattoo Company, his first tattoo shop, in Englewood, Colorado. Located at 3741 S. Broadway, the shop opened in early May with a clear mission: to revive the warm, communal spirit of traditional tattoo parlors.
“I’d call it a classic, friendly neighborhood tattoo shop,” Anderson said. “We emphasize walk-ins and open doors. We want people to feel welcome, even if they’re not getting tattooed that day. Just come hang out.”
Anderson, who began tattooing professionally in 2012, said the idea for Low Side was born out of a desire to create a more inclusive and inviting space in an industry that often feels unapproachable. “A lot of shops today are appointment-only and can feel cold or intimidating,” he said. “Tattooing used to be about community. You’d walk in, talk with artists, and feel like you belonged—even if you didn’t get ink that day. That’s what we’re bringing back.”
Anderson’s love for art started young and never wavered. But it wasn’t until he was 16, inspired by his older brother’s tattoos and drawn to the alternative culture, that he began to seriously pursue the craft. “I told my mom I wanted a tattoo, and she agreed—as long as my grandma drew it and I went to the same artist as my brother,” Anderson recalled. That first visit to a tattoo shop changed his life.
“I was hearing music I loved, seeing cool people, and thought, ‘This is something I could do,’” he said. “From there, I started drawing flash and chasing an apprenticeship.”
After numerous rejections and a stint at art school, Anderson finally secured an apprenticeship at 18. Now, with more than 13 years of experience, he’s using his knowledge and passion to shape a new standard for tattoo shops—one rooted in kindness, creativity, and authenticity.
Low Side Tattoo Company is already generating buzz in the local community, helped in part by a neighboring record store that’s been sending curious walk-ins their way. Anderson said he was drawn to Englewood for its charm, sense of community, and vibrant art scene.
“Denver can be overwhelming, but Englewood feels like a gem,” he said. “It’s got this cool energy—lots of music and art, and businesses that care about the people around them.”
The shop is staffed by three other artists, including two women and a queer man, and the team prides itself on fostering an inclusive, relaxed environment.
Tattoo artist Caitlin Janicek, who specializes in fine line floral and ornamental work, said the atmosphere at Low Side is a refreshing change from some of the toxic environments she’s previously experienced. “Some shops make you feel like you’re a burden for even walking in,” she said. “Here, it feels like hanging out with friends. There’s no ego—just support.”
Anderson acknowledges tattooing’s rougher past, particularly its reputation for gatekeeping and exclusion, but says he’s proud to be part of the industry’s transformation. “It used to be dominated by grumpy old white guys who didn’t want to let others in,” he said. “That’s changing, and we’re all about that change. We want everyone to feel safe, seen, and welcome here.”
When building his team, Anderson focused as much on personality as on artistic skill. “We spend more time with each other than with our families,” he said. “So we had to click. I wasn’t just hiring people—I was asking them what their dream shop looked like. This was always going to be a group effort.”
While Anderson admits that running a shop adds a new level of stress and responsibility, he’s relishing the freedom it provides. “It’s exhausting, but it’s also amazing,” he said. “There’s no one to fall back on—it’s all on me. But that’s what makes it exciting. I get to build something real, something that matters.”
His long-term vision? To make Low Side Tattoo Company “the place”—a local staple where great art, strong community, and true self-expression intersect.
“Tattooing still has a kind of magic,” Anderson said. “Even now that it’s mainstream, there’s something powerful about it that hasn’t been lost. I always tell people: I’m in the business of self-expression.”
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