The Best Ink In Town
Bbbuuuzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, ohhhhhhh, ahhhhhh. These are just a few of the many sounds one may hear while walking into Endless Summer Tattoo Shop. (Other than the local surf rats getting ink done chattering about the last wave that they caught). The pleasurable pain of a tattoo is not for everybody, yet for those who do appreciate it Endless Summer Tattoo Shop is prestigious for quality art work.
“‘Tattooing is my passion in life,” said shop owner Mark Longenecker as he hid behind his thick black glasses. “It is a permanent art on people's bodies so I am honored that people would wear my art like that. Customers go through the art with you and they feel the pain. I think it is the best medium of art out there.”
Thirteen years ago, 43-year-old Longenecker had a vision of opening a surf themed tattoo shop, where customers could feel at home while receiving beautiful pieces of art on their bodies. As an eccentric, tattooed waterman with a passion for surfing and art Mark is the ideal shop owner. With experience in working in previous shops, he got acquainted with how they were ran and felt confident that he could open his own store. After a lot of traveling, Cocoa Beach stuck in Mark’s mind as the choice of where he wanted to locate. Today, Endless Summer Tattoo stands as one of the most prominent tattoo shops in Florida, fulfilling Longenecker’s dreams and bringing the art community of Brevard together.
“I have known Mark for close to 16 years,” said 34-year-old Eric Hildwein. “I have multiple tattoos from him and other employees at his shop. The moment you walk in you know what the vibe is and you feel at ease. It is always a killer experience going to sit with him and his crew.”
In an oversaturated market of tattoo shops the idea of starting a surf themed store was fresh, innovate, and perfect for the surf hub of Florida. With so many shops cloning each other Endless Summer Tattoo stands out in its ambiance.
Painted bright turquoise with pops of yellow, layered with tiki statues and water ornaments, the house-like shop is seemingly hard to miss. Once inside, Marks skateboard collection is cleverly mounted on the ceilings and walls. Surf boards, statues and posters are also exhibited throughout the store, encompassing an eclectic surf-shack vibe.
“A tattoo shop can be clean without having to look like a cafeteria or hospital,” said Longenecker as he cracked a smile behind his black and grey beard.
The name Endless Summer Tattoo derived from the 1966 surf film The Endless Summer where Filmmaker Bruce Brown follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August on a surfing trip around the world, chasing the endless summer.
“We are all chasing something,” said Longenecker. “When you come to the shop you can find that here. From the skateboard collection, my surfboard collections, to my artwork that I have it is like a tiki-bar surf shop.”
Longenecker has been tattooing for 23 years with an ardent passion for tattooing. In 2014 Mark was featured on Ink Master where he competed with some of the top tattoo artists from all over the world, helping him gain recognition.
Mark’s tropi style art is extremely vibrant and innovative. Known for his large ocean themed pieces, Longenecker has the ability to play with various colors and elements keeping customers satisfied and returning for more.
Yet without a solid team Endless Summer would be incapable of the unshakeable deliverance it holds. Mondo Arroyo, Philip Coupet, Mike Bush, Vanessa Harper, and Juli Brown are all brilliant tattoo artists with something unique to deliver to the shop.
“I have never seen a more generous shop with the best of the best artists,” said 45-year-old local charity organizer JP William.
Mark explains that he loves his crew and enjoys working with each one of them as they all have unique and imperative qualities that they bring to the table.
As for the future, Mark says he may open a record store or produce more clothing. Nevertheless, Endless Summer remains renowned for its unique beachside atmosphere and top-notch service.
