DARIEN, CT — A new piercing and jewelry studio is being proposed in Darien, and the Planning & Zoning Commission could deliberate the application and special permit request at its Jan. 28 meeting, according to the meeting agenda.
Brendan Kelly, the owner of Stonegarden Piercing Studio, is looking to open at 883 Boston Post Road, the former site of Check Body-Mind. Kelly went before planning & zoning earlier this month for a public hearing.
According to a narrative associated with the proposal, Stonegarden would focus primarily on ear work and some facial piercings.
As a member of the Association of Professional Piercers, Kelly said safety will be paramount. All tools and instruments used during services will be single-use, project documents note.
Appointments and walk-ins will be welcome, with appointments expected to range between 30-90 minutes. Piercing services typically cost between $40-$60, project documents say.
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But the "backbone" of the business, Kelly said, will be a jewelry business that will offer pieces for existing or new piercings.
Kelly has partnered with Body Vision Los Angeles, a piercing jewelry company.
"We'll be dealing primarily in solid gold jewelry... People will come in and either shop for jewelry for a new or existing piercing. You don't need to be getting a piercing in order to buy jewelry," Kelly told the commission.
Jewelry prices begin at over $100 and can reach over $5,000, project documents say.
The commission had questions about the need for four piercing rooms. Kelly said he could consolidate one of the spaces to have three rooms, and noted he plans to hire more employees in the future.
"There are many studios like mine that have up to seven piercers. It just depends on the demand you have from the community. I got the space because of the potential for growth," Kelly said.
Commissioner George Reilly had questions about parking.
According to project documents, Kelly said the Tilley lot behind the property features 51 available spaces and could accommodate employees and customers.
Reilly said he's used to seeing those spots "pretty well used."
"I've been down to the space a couple of times and I've noticed that the Tilley parking lot seems to have an adequate amount when I was there," Kelly told the commission. "Especially on the street in front of the building, it's pretty easy as well. I don't anticipate parking being an issue, but extra parking is something that could definitely be explored down the line if we were to get busier than we anticipate right now."
Proposed hours for Stonegarden are Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
The Jan. 28 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Darien Town Hall.
You can view the Jan. 7 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on-demand on Darien TV79.