Small businesses in Hanover: Colorful tattoos, formal dresses and Asian food restaurants

Whether it's near the main street action or on the Golden mile, more and more businesses are coming to Hanover.

Here's a look at just some of the new and growing businesses in Snack Town.

Blue Bird Tattoo Studio

The tattooing world has always been male-dominated, but Hanover now has its first female-owned tattoo shop, Blue Bird Tattoo Studio on Baltimore Street.

"It's not easy being a female in the tattoo industry, for sure, it's very much a boy's club, and I've had to navigate through that for 14 years, and now it's like I don't have to do that anymore because I have my own place," owner Missi Blue said.

At her shop, Blue is looking to change the way that the industry is perceived starting with her space.

"I really wanted it to be bright, because like I said I love color ... so I wanted that to match my personality, and I didn't want to work in a dark, depressing, scary-looking tattoo shop. I want people to look in here and be like, 'That looks inviting and welcoming,'" Blue said.

That sense extends into her customer service also, as she said it's all about educating her clients.

"I want them to get what they want to get but I'm gonna help them with their idea, if it's not something that's going to work, I don't want to talk down to them. That's a big thing that I wanted for this shop that I didn't feel like I could do at a lot of other places," Blue said.

Blue specializes in color tattooing, and she said she's not a fan of black and grey.

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"I try to just stick within my style these days because like I said there's tattoo artists everywhere so if it is not something that I want to do or something that I'm good at, I'm gonna refer them to someone who is good at it," she said.

At Blue Bird, guests can get flower and animal tattoos among other "cutesy stuff." Her favorite tattoos to do are animal portraits.

"People, they're mourning and they want to keep the memory of their pets alive and me being able to do a portrait of them or their pet, it means so much to me to be able to help them with that," she said.

Those that want to commission Blue for a tattoo can do so on her website. The shop will have its grand opening on Feb. 1. The first 100 people will get a free gift, there will be a wheel for prizes, food, drinks and discounts on merchandise.

Where: 8 Baltimore St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday

Contact: (717) 634-5685; Facebook page; tattoosbymissiblue.com

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Simone's Unlimited

When Shai Ivgi's mother, Simone, decided to start a new dress shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ivgi had a decision to make.

He had been helping her out with Simone's Unlimited for a while, since she was spending quite a bit of time in Colorado caring for her fiance, who was getting treatment for bone cancer.

But, once her fiance recovered and they decided to go to Florida, Ivgi was given the opportunity to co-own the business.

"She (Simone) was very persuasive," Ivgi said with a chuckle. "But at the end of the day it seemed like it made sense."

Ivgi said he had fears about working with clients directly. Though that changed one day when a client came in looking for a mother-of-the-bride gown, and he was the only one there.

"I just started working with her, I started pulling dresses and we started going back and forth and the whole process was so enjoyable for the both of us, and I was like, 'You know what, I belong here,'" Ivgi said.

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He also said the artistic nature of the job aligns well with his 16 years of experience in hair styling.

"There's also design elements come into play, color coordinating and just looking at overall form and things like that. So that artistic side, it seemed like to be a good fit for me," Ivgi said.

"I guess sometimes in life the best things are the things you didn't plan."

Simone's also made a big change this year by moving downtown.

"People couldn't see us on Middle Street, you had to know we were there and go there, and now it's people that never knew we were here even in over 22 years are starting to finally realize that we're here," Ivgi said.

The move has been good for the business that now has a new backlit sign and store front. 

The store offers clothing and accessories for most special occasions like weddings, prom, homecoming, pageants, quinceaneras, and more.

"I'd just like people to know that we have dresses for everyone, whatever your situation is. I love working with people, and I'd like to make everyone feel like feeling beautiful on their special occasion is something that they can do here," Ivgi said.

Where: 28 Carlisle St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Contact: (717) 630-0990; Facebook page; bridalprompageant.com

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Pho Viet Vietnamese Cuisine

A new pho place in Hanover hopes to bring some diversity to the area with its authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

"I think it's great how people have been very positive and receptive, and actually shocked by how many people actually have a knowledge and like for this type of food," Nina Wills, manager of Pho Viet Vietnamese Cuisine, said.

Owner James Pham, of York, and the chefs are all Vietnamese. Wills said that bringing their restaurant to Hanover is their way of introducing the culture.

"The cuisine here is very authentic, it's true to the culture and the heritage, and I feel like not everybody's pho is good, but this one definitely has plenty of approval," Wills said.

Not only can guests get a taste of traditional Vietnamese pho, but their menu also includes spring rolls, egg rolls, stir fries, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, and more.

"It's healthy, it's good, and I think it's just refreshing to bring to the area," Wills said.

And the food isn't the only thing drawing people into Pho Viet.

"People like the ambiance in here. A lot of people comment that it's beautiful, but it's relaxing and intriguing as far as the different things between the koi fish and all the lighting."

Where: 101 Wilson Ave.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Contact: (717) 969-2288; Facebook page

Hana Express

Danny Wu decided to move his business from East Berlin to Hanover because he wanted to see how the business could grow.

"I tried to give myself like a challenge, (to see) if we can do a good job being in a bigger town with a lot of competition," Wu said.

When he first started in the restaurant industry 10 years ago, Wu had just entered the country from China, and he was hooked.  

"I feel like it’s hard work in a restaurant, it's a hard working job, but for myself I feel I like it. I like to make food and bring people flavor," Wu said.

When he first arrived and was introduced to American Chinese food he said he was shocked at the difference. "I said, 'What? I’ve never seen that in China!'"

At Hana Express, Wu sells the more common American Chinese dishes but he likes to switch it up by offering samples of authentic Chinese foods.

"When a customer is here, I try to give them different food and they (can) try it," to give people a chance to experience new flavors, Wu said.

The restaurant offers an array of Asian-fusion dishes, from Chinese food, to sushi, to Thai food.

Where: 120 E Chestnut St.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

Contact: (717) 316-4759; Facebook page; hanaepresspa.com