When the popular tattoo shop Ink & Water suddenly closed its doors, it sent shockwaves through Toronto’s tattoo community. The closure came as a surprise to many, including the artists themselves, who were left scrambling to find answers.

What initially seemed like a thriving business with a strong reputation turned out to be mired in debt and financial mismanagement. Co-directors Michael Pecherle, Prairie Koo, and Harris Mirza found themselves at odds over the shop’s collapse, each pointing fingers at the others.

As details emerged, it became clear that the once successful tattoo shop had accumulated over $1 million in debt and faced allegations of financial impropriety. The fallout was not just financial but also personal, as relationships between the co-directors soured.

The closure of Ink & Water serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the challenges of running a successful business in a competitive industry.