Colorado Springs’ Best Kept Secrets: Freaky’s Gift Tattoo & Body Piercing

Freaky's, a smoking accessories and tattoo store, is a perfect example of its namesake's definition: a seemingly pointless idea or turn of the mind.

The store was first opened in Denver in 1992. Over the past 20 years, Freaky's has expanded, and it now includes four stores in Denver and two stores in Colorado Springs.

Specializing in fringe items, the store carries things like swords, hookahs and specialty tobaccos. As Moe Johnson, a store manager said, "We have items that are not everyday items."

Johnson said, "We have smoking accessories up the wazoo." And indeed, the store does. Along one entire wall is a glass display case with nothing inside but pipes and hookahs of all shapes, sizes and colors.

It also offers specialty tobaccos. According to Johnson, hookah tobacco is one of the store's number one sellers. "It's honey based; it's soaked in honey," he said.

Along with fringe items, Freaky's also offers tattoos and piercings – and with safety in mind, the shop is certified by the Department of Public Health as well. Johnson said that all employees were also required to take a blood-borne pathogen class.

Because Freaky's sells so many items that have become associated with illegal activities, staff is very careful about any discussion of illegal activities.

There is a sign clearly posted on the sales counter that says, "If you make reference to anything illegal you will be asked to leave."

Despite this dire warning, Johnson says that he doesn't have to ask very many people to leave. "Being established for 20 years, people know what we're about," he said.

Freaky's also sells Montana spray paints. Johnson said, "It's really popular with graffiti artists and canvas artists."

Graffiti is not illegal on its own. According to graffiti.org, graffiti can be considered an art form just the same as Picasso's and Monet's pictures are art.

The difference primarily is permission – the art style is perfectly legal. If you paint on someone else's property without their permission, it's vandalism, no matter what art style you're using.

The store also does quite a bit of business with the UCCS community. "We get a lot of UCCS kids for hookah tobacco," said Jay Karpan-Lowman, an employee.

"Hookah and piercings are really popular with the UCCS kids," added Johnson.

More info: freakys.com