City Snapshot: Lola’s Tattoo Shop

Lola Esperian had a way with the community, and all those who came into the shop. Not only was she an exceptional artist, she was a confidante who was willing to share advice with anyone who walked through the doors of Lola’s Tattoo Shop. Now, years later, her artists still keep the shop running — hot and flying. With ceiling to floor windows, walls full of colorful flash tattoo art and black and white tiled floors, Lola’s is still a beloved treasure and place of refuge for residents of Bogota, N.J. “The one thing I love about this place, it just has that classic tattoo look,” shared Esperian’s apprentice, Johnny Nukem. “I try to keep it that way, the way Lola had it.” Dean Carnecchia of Lola’s Tattoo’s looks back at his career in the tattooing business and the changes he has seen since Lola’s first opened in 1976. Producer: Leyla Merhi. Adviser: R. Leung