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What better way to say, “Welcome the neighborhood!” than with a ribbon cutting?

On Wednesday, Long Live Tattoo and Gallery officially opened the doors to its new location off the LaFayette Square with a ribbon cutting organized by the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce.

Long Live Tattoo and Gallery is a tattoo shop that offers custom tattoos, piercings and art pieces.

Business owner Colby Daehler said the decision to move to downtown LaGrange came from wanting to be in a location better suited for the business.

“So far, two days in the new location has been great,” Daehler said. “In the other place, we were tucked away in a corner around a bunch of doctor’s offices, physician’s offices, and the social security office. Now, I’m right across the street from the art museum. There’s a lot of different experience places around here, and I felt like it’d be a better fit for my business.”

Daehler said he helps promote the work of local artists and educate people on art.

“A lot of artists will do their own custom artwork and sell it in general. The only thing I’m doing differently is that I want to try involving other people to promote themselves in the shop and help them become more known,” Daehler said.

Now officially a part of the chamber, Daehler said the experience has been great.

“I’ve had nothing but good experience with them,” he said. “They’ve definitely looked out for me, and it’s nice to help out and be part of the community that I work in.”

In the future, Daehler said he hopes to create different events with community members.

“I would like to plan some events with the LaGrange Art Museum or other artists in the area as well as do things for the children like Toys for Tots,” Daehler said.

Long Live Tattoo and Gallery is located at 1 East Lafayette Square and open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.