Low Brow Ink: Nothing Can Keep Them Down

GRAND TERRACE >> Lowbrow Ink, one of the victims of the structure fire in Grand Terrace on the morning of April 29, doesn’t expect to be closed for long. “Nothing can keep us down,” owner Jason Greeley added. Although the damages are estimated to be over $200,000, according to Greeley, Low Brow Ink is looking forward to a cathartic journey from here on out. “It doesn’t matter,” Greeley explained. “I don’t think the fire matters as much as getting over it and moving to the next thing.” When he arrived that morning, the first thing he saw was huge white smoke pouring out of the building. Luckily, he was told that 90% of his stuff was salvageable. “I just thought to myself, okay there’s one blessing,” he said. Although there were obvious damages, Greeley explained that the most important items were left untouched. He had a few paintings of the devil that were ruined. However, all of his photos of Jesus, Captain America, etc. remained in perfect condition. “We lost a lot of art but it was mostly stuff that shouldn’t be kept anyway,” he added. Unfortunately this isn’t the first fire Greeley has been a victim of, his San Bernardino home burned down in 2003 in which the insurance assessor didn’t show up until four months after the incident. However, the assessor was there the very next day checking for asbestos and lead. “There was negative lead and little asbestos on the roof but it’s minor,” he explained. “When the assessor was here the next day, I had known that this is going to be a good run,” he added. “Everything is moving quite rapidly…so we’re going to be good.” During the morning of the fire, Greeley was in a state of shock and when asked if he had insurance, he shook his head no. Later he explained that he didn’t know if what caused the fire was going to be covered and that is why he initially shook his head when reporters asked him whether or not he had insurance. Fortunately, he does have insurance and is motivated to get Low Brow Ink up and running again soon. “The confusion that’s created during a disaster is very hard for you to know who’s in charge,” he explained. When he arrived to the building the morning of the fire, there were people hovering around the strip mall trying to get the job to re-construct the place to get some insurance money, Greeley said. “They’re ambulance chasers; they’re piranhas…they’re creating chaos not order,” he explained. Greeley extended his gratitude for the people of Grand Terrace. “I know a lot of people in this town and a lot of people push for me,” he said. “The mayor called me right away…city workers were down here as quickly as possible. I’m just really proud of this city…if it’s my personal dilemma, I know it’s the city’s; I know the city has my back.” Although some community members only think of Low Brow Ink as just a tattoo shop, Greeley and his team are striving for much more and will soon bring a grand destination to Grand Terrace as they work to rebuild their building. “I want parents to say to their kids, ‘if you’re good this week I’ll take you to Low Brow Ink’,” he said. Greeley explained that they have a lot of things happening that don't necessarily have to do with tattoos. “We’re much more than just a tattoo shop,” he added. Just a few of the things in the works are creating their own TV show, and creating a lot of things with the Low Brow Ink name. “For the most part it’s an art factory, we build things nobody has ever seen,” said Greeley. Low Brow Ink is much more than what meets the eye. As one walks in their art factory for the first time, the creative art forms filling the walls of the studio vary in style. It’s evident that creative minds work there. As Greeley explains their goal for a TV show, he added, “That’s why this place is built so crazy…its like Disneyland.” “Arcade, art factory, tattoo shop,” he listed while explaining that Low Brow Ink is all things art-related as every single person that works there has unique artistic talent and abilities. “We’re trying to redefine cool…someone that is aspiring to do something different, that’s cool,” he added. That’s what Low Brown Ink is all about. Greeley explained that there is no tentative date set yet for when Low Brow Ink will re-open but he is looking forward to meeting with the final insurance adjuster this week. “These things happen. No matter what life throws at you, you must fight. You got to get up and keep moving,” Greeley said. “I want people to know that we’ll be back stronger than ever.”