Las Vegas native Josh "King Ruck" Glover has been tattooing professionally since the early 2000s and founded Black Spade at Container Park in 2009. The artist, who has appeared on shows including "Ink Master" and "Tanked," describes himself as an illustrator first and a businessman second, crediting his late mother for recognizing and encouraging his artistic talent from childhood.
Glover says the shop benefits from a hybrid clientele: curious visitors drawn to the novelty of a tattoo studio inside a train car at Container Park, and dedicated clients who seek out his specific style and brand. He acknowledges that nearby shops offering novelty tattoos for as little as $10 to $20 present a challenge, with some potential customers leaving when they learn Black Spade does not match those prices.
Rather than compete on cost, Glover focuses on educating clients that his shop employs artists creating custom artwork rather than providing novelty tattoos. He credits the late Tony Hsieh's downtown investment vision for making the area easier for independent businesses to succeed, saying the community continues to benefit from that groundwork.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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