Alex’s Tattoos on Broadway closed last week as its owner is partnering with several people to open another tattoo shop in Burnsville, Minn.

Alex Wheelock confirmed his Mapleview business, which opened on Oct. 1 of last year, was closed after he decided to join a group of people he knew who plan to open a tattoo business called Stay Tru closer to the Twin Cities.

“Everyone’s kind of cool and unique, everyone’s young,” he said. “It’s just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Wheelock said he was quite busy at his location near Austin but wanted to embark on this new challenge once he heard about it from a friend, who is also involved in Stay Tru. Though the shop closed suddenly last week after he informed his landlord about the change, Wheelock is grateful for the opportunity to continue perfecting his craft.

“I want to grow and develop as an artist,” he said.

The shop has been at 102 Broadway in Mapleview.