Crossroads Tattoo turned spooky into stylish at its Halloween Bash, where manager and newly minted artist Guillermo Martinez showed off bold, ghoulish designs that were more treat than trick.

Since opening its doors in May, the shop has quickly become a creative hub for Conway’s ink enthusiasts. 

On Halloween, nearly half of the day’s appointments were booked within just two hours of opening, as customers lined up for the $31 flash sale featuring cult-classic tattoos. Designs ranged from penny-sized pieces to baseball-sized artwork, each one a nod to the eerie and iconic.

Martinez, who began tattooing professionally two years ago, has helped shape the shop’s laid-back identity. 

He described Crossroads as “the shop you don’t have to worry about,” adding, “We’re like the kid you never worry about, so we kind of do our own thing here.” 

That relaxed vibe was on full display during the Halloween event, where the atmosphere was as much a part of the experience as the ink itself.

The shop embraced the spirit of the season, transforming into a haunted haven. Halloween music pulsed through the parlor, from eerie instrumentals to nostalgic hits, setting the tone for a day that blended artistry with atmosphere. 

Each artist contributed their own twist to the celebration, designing original Halloween-inspired flash tattoos that ranged from playful pumpkins to gothic ghosts. The designs reflected the shop’s eclectic style, with nods to horror films, cult classics, and vintage Halloween iconography. A TV mounted near the front played a steady loop of seasonal favorites like “Hocus Pocus,” “Beetlejuice” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” adding a cinematic backdrop to the buzzing of tattoo machines.

Martinez and several other artists at Crossroads were mentored by longtime Arkansas tattoo artist John Olson. “He’s one of the OGs—he goes by Worm in the tattoo community,” Martinez said. “I learned under him, and one thing led to another, and now we’re here.” That lineage of mentorship and creativity is part of what gives the shop its unique character.

As an Air Force veteran, Martinez said his interest in tattoos began when he was 18 and just joined the military. “I was in the military when I got most of this done,” he said. “I got my whole chest and arms done in under a year. There were certain regulations but you can get away with quite a bit of tattoos and I really just got obsessed with it.” His love for Halloween and dark, whimsical art is reflected in his personal ink. “I have pretty much a whole sleeve of The Nightmare Before Christmas,” he said. “I was a big Tim Burton fan growing up.”

With walk-ins lining up early and regulars returning for their next piece, the Halloween Bash at Crossroads Tattoo solidified its reputation as a space where creativity thrives and Conway’s tattoo culture continues to grow.

Offering $31 waivers redeemable through Nov. 15, customers can return for more ghoulish designs and the shop’s creative, professional atmosphere.