Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo, the first tattoo studio launched by husband‑and‑wife team Brooke and James Dupper in Cedar Park, is set to open a second location on South First Street in Austin. The new shop will welcome customers on New Year’s Day, offering walk‑in and appointment services across all tattoo styles.
Family‑run business expands to Austin
Brooke Dupper said the expansion feels like a natural next step for the couple, who first opened a tattoo shop in Killeen in 2015 and later added a second location, Iron Rite Tattoo South, in Georgetown four years ago. “We are incredibly grateful and excited to have the opportunity to open a shop in Austin,” she explained. “Our goal is to offer a unique, welcoming experience rooted in expert craftsmanship and genuine connection.”
Team and services
The Austin studio will be staffed by the Duppers along with director of operations Erynn Olkowski, lead tattooer Ray Bazaan, and shop manager Tabitha Baladez. While the shop will provide a full range of tattoo styles, it will not offer piercings, keeping its focus on high‑quality ink work.
Preserving local history
The new location occupies a 696‑square‑foot house that previously housed a tattoo shop for more than two decades. “We are excited to preserve a little piece of that history and continue its legacy as a tattoo shop,” Brooke Dupper said. The owners plan to retain the building’s character while renovating it to meet the needs of their growing clientele.
Community‑focused approach
Brooke Dupper emphasized that each Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo location develops its own personality through the artists, staff, and clients it serves. “We look forward to the energy, opportunities and new challenges that come with being in the city, while bringing the same sense of community we’ve built at our other shops,” she added.
What this means for South Austin
The addition of a reputable, family‑owned tattoo studio adds to the vibrant small‑business landscape along South First Street. Residents will have a locally owned option for custom tattoo work without needing to travel to neighboring suburbs. The shop’s emphasis on craftsmanship and personal connection aligns with the values many South Austin families and faith‑centered communities hold dear.
Looking ahead
With the opening slated for the first day of 2027, Don’t Tell Mama Tattoo joins a growing list of new businesses contributing to Austin’s economic vitality. The Duppers’ expansion underscores the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Central Texas, offering both jobs and a fresh creative outlet for the community.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
