For the 16th year in a row, The Chosen One Ink tattoo and piercing shop in Arlington has opened its back‑room to a community‑wide haunted‑house fundraiser. From October 3 through October 31, the shop invited families, teens and adults to brave a tour of terror in exchange for a canned‑food donation that supports Mission Arlington, a neighborhood food pantry.
Family‑friendly fun with a purpose
“It just reminds me of childhood, just having fun, you know?” said veteran tattoo artist Karina Brundrett, who has worked at the shop for a decade alongside her husband, owner‑operator Matt Brundrett. “We’re all family folks. I just want everybody else to take it back a notch in time and enjoy it.” The event is designed to be a light‑hearted way for the community to give back, especially to those who, like Karina, once relied on food donations as children.
Admission is simple: a single canned good. Over the month, the haunted house attracted 4,279 visitors, filling three truck‑bed loads of canned food for Mission Arlington. The turnout reflects the shop’s deep roots in the downtown Arlington neighborhood, where it moved in 2023 after 16 years of operation.
Creating a welcoming, old‑school atmosphere
When the spooky season ends, The Chosen One Ink returns to its regular vibe of ’80s rock music, neon lighting and walls painted in cherry‑red and teal. The décor includes memorabilia collected over the years—signed Nirvana posters, platinum Death Row records and the bumper from Matt’s old truck—giving the space a nostalgic, family‑oriented feel.
“I would say it’s a nostalgic shop,” Matt said. “We’re really just busy on what we’re doing, just sticking to art and satisfying our customers.” He added that his lifelong connection to the tattoo community fuels his desire to create a welcoming environment for Arlington residents.
Community anchor and future plans
Matt, who has owned The Chosen One Ink for 16 years, sees the shop as an anchor for the downtown area. “When we moved over here to the downtown area, I wanted to be sure we were really part of the community,” he explained. As the studio approaches its 20‑year milestone, he hopes to continue serving as a staple for local families and visitors alike.
Regulars and newcomers alike have praised the event. Many returning guests said they feel a sense of trust and familiarity with the staff, whether they come for a tattoo, a piercing, or simply to enjoy the haunted‑house experience.
How to get involved
Anyone interested in supporting Mission Arlington can still drop off canned goods at The Chosen One Ink during regular business hours. The shop remains open for tattoo and piercing appointments, and its staff continues to emphasize personal connection, saying, “Everyone’s welcome, and everyone has a good time here. We just try to be a one‑of‑a‑kind shop. … We are always blessed, and we always have amazing customers.”
For more information about future events or to schedule an appointment, visit The Chosen One Ink’s website or follow them on social media.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
