BROOKINGS Kyle Hutchins reached more than a century into the past the World War I era, specifically when he settled on a name for his new business in downtown Brookings: Trench Rose Tattoo.
Its a reference to the battlefield nurses in Europe who risked life and limb caring for soldiers wounded in the horrible trench warfare that was a hallmark of World War I and, in the years and decades after the war ended, the special tattoos many of those soldiers carried in remembrance of those lifesaving nurses.
It basically means like a healer of sorts, Hutchins, 28, said. And, kind of honestly, named after my Mom. She wasnt a nurse, but she was a good impact in my life.
He said tattoos and military service hes a veteran, too, having served eight years in the South Dakota Army National Guard share a long history, one that really took off during World War II.
Its one of those things where its kind of cool trying to keep that history alive, if I can.
With that in mind, perhaps it shouldnt be too surprising, then, that memorial tattoos are very popular at his business, which is in Suite 3 in the Grunewaldt Building at 314 Main Ave.
I do a lot of those so its like for a relative thats passed, or a pet, or anything like that. Thats what I would say is the most meaningful things people have gotten, Hutchins said.
He said memorial tattoos leave lasting impressions. Every memorial one sticks out to me this is someones handwriting, this is their relative, this is what they have to remember them through.
Its not necessarily all serious, though, as Hutchins recounted a story that involved a friends deceased guinea pig.
I just drew a finger-paint portrait of his guinea pig and he, sure enough, got that tattooed, he said. Theres definitely some weird, goofy stuff out there. God bless this guinea pig, but at the same time Im more in it for the people.
Ultimately, though: It meant something to him so and thats really, at the end of the day, all that matters is that it means something to them.
Helping animals
While tending to peoples tattoo needs is an obvious business-success strategy, its not the sole approach Hutchins has used as he settles into his new digs. One of his first acts was donating 25% of Trench Rose Tattoos profits on opening day to the Brookings Area Humane Society.
That day, he and several other tattoo artists who were helping him offered customers a flash sale. It wound up benefitting the humane society to the tune of $505.
It was kind of hectic, but Im happy that it went the way it did, Hutchins said.
The success of his opening day helped alleviate some of the fears he had beforehand. Im forever grateful for that. I was scared with opening the place just being able to just do all right right off the bat, it was really nice.
Hutchins said flash sales would return in the future as well, perhaps in correlation with certain community events and its the community that hes looking forward to getting to know.
Thats been the biggest sense of everything here, he said. Its crazy, from just opening the place, the people that Ive met, knowing how much of an impact I could possibly make in the community. Get to know the business owners and get to know the people and get to know their stories. I like doing that.
Good vibe
Born in Watertown, Hutchins grew up there and in Bowdle, where he went to high school. He said Brookings wasnt a place he visited frequently but that whenever he did, he noticed there was a good vibe about it.
I really love the community, I love the people here, Hutchins reiterated.
It was a journey getting to Brookings, though. He served in the SDANG following high school, then worked at an event center in Watertown while doing a bit of tattooing on the side. That was going well enough but then the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020.
(My) regular job did not exist anymore, so I kind of was stuck just drawing all day, Hutchins said. I figured this is something I really love doing, I want to do this probably for the rest of my life if I can.
Still, it wasnt a slam-dunk for Brookings in Hutchinss mind, it had competition from Sioux Falls. How so? Well, his fiance wanted the couple to move there after their lease expired in Watertown. What complicated the matter was Hutchins would have had to join an established tattoo shop not necessarily an easy thing to do, especially with a limited selection of shops, with each already having a core of artists already familiar with each other.
Trying to get attached to that would be tricky, he explained. So I figured I would bite the bullet and, I was sitting here, I was like, Brookings, lets try this out.
The decision was made easier by the fact that 65% to 80% of his clients in Watertown he was one of the artists at Lucid Illusions tattoo studio already drove up from Brookings.
I figured I might as well move closer to them, he said. I absolutely love the place so far everything here has been wonderful.
If youre interested in Hutchinss tattoo services, he can be called at 605-237-9709. His email is [email protected], and he can also be found on Instagram (peterpvn_) and Facebook (Trench Rose Tattoo). His hours are noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
He invited folks to stop by if they have any questions.
Im not just a guy that scary-looking dude that draws on people, Hutchins said, laughing. I try to make as much time as I can for everyone.
I just try to be a good person. Usually that comes back around and helps you and other people out.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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