Wicker Park's Metamorph Tattoo Studios faces eviction, runs GoFundMe to stay

Metamorph Tattoo Studios, the Wicker Park shop at 1456 N. Milwaukee Ave. founded in 2005, is confronting an eviction threat after posting a major loss and falling months behind on rent, owner-operator Derek Mullins says. Mullins, 57, launched a GoFundMe to try to keep the studio open while pursuing legal options.

Mullins has run Metamorph since 2005 and brings more than three decades of tattooing experience to the shop, which has been described locally as one of the Milwaukee Avenue corridor’s long-running studios. The studio’s roster of resident and guest artists, along with its posted hours and address, remain listed on the shop website, and Mullins continues to accept appointments as he works to bridge the financial gap.

The financial squeeze followed a period when the shop was often busy before the COVID-19 pandemic. Mullins declined to provide dollar figures for the reported “major loss” or the exact number of months owed in back rent; the GoFundMe campaign also has not disclosed a public goal or a current total raised in the statements provided to this reporter.

Troubles at Metamorph are compounded by a long-simmering dispute with the vacant property next door. A construction permit was issued for that site in October, but Mullins says he has not seen work completed since the permit was issued and that the adjacent property has sat in disrepair with scaffolding over the sidewalk. Mullins says taggers use the scaffolding to climb onto nearby buildings, including above Metamorph, and that the structure harms business appearance. “It blocks part of my business. It makes it look bad,” he said.

Mullins has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the vacant property next door, seeking relief tied to the scaffolding and the site’s condition. At the same time he is contesting the eviction threat related to unpaid rent and exploring whether a lease deal, a buyer, or emergency fundraising can stabilize the shop. How quickly the courts move will factor heavily in any outcome.

Despite the pressure, Mullins said launching the GoFundMe felt difficult. He acknowledged feeling “some embarrassment” about asking for help and characterized the campaign as a last resort, calling it a “lifeline.” He continues to book clients and maintain shop hours while the legal and fundraising efforts proceed.

Losing Metamorph would remove a familiar artistic presence from the Milwaukee Avenue strip and further pinch independent artists who rely on studio space, community members say. For now, the studio at 1456 N. Milwaukee Ave. remains open for appointments as Mullins waits on legal developments and the results of the emergency fundraiser to determine whether Metamorph survives in place.