'What a loss': Vancouver piercing shop closes, U.S. election partly blamed
A popular Vancouver piercing and body jewellery shop that had been in operation since 2012 is now closed.
Arcane Body Arts, located at 332 Water St. in Gastown, announced its closure on Instagram just days ago. The shop apologized to followers for the abruptness of the closure.
“It is with a heavy heart and much regret that we share the news that Arcane has closed. We are sorry that we could not give notice to you all, we thought we had more time.”
In Arcane’s Instagram post, the business attributed several factors to the closure, with the U.S. election and its subsequent consequences being a significant reason. Arcane received a fair share of its products through Body Vision Los Angeles (BVLA).
View this post on Instagram
“Our business has been drastically affected ever since the American election – which included the tariffs, the changing in spending of our client base and the Canadian boycott of American products (of which nearly all of our jewellery is, including our beloved BVLA),” the shop said.
The shop added that it hoped it could hold on and get through this time, but it quickly became clear that it couldn’t.
In response to the announcement of its closure, followers have left hundreds of comments, and the post has been shared and liked nearly 2,000 times.
“Vancouver’s piercing scene has been forever changed and improved by Arcane,” one follower said.
Many members of the local business community, including other tattoo and piercing businesses, also commented, including The Network Hub.
So sad to see the closure of Arcane – tariff, covid, trade war, all of it… so very sad, what a loss for Gastown pic.twitter.com/uaHsDUAc6o
— The Network Hub (@thenetworkhub) June 28, 2025
“I have always and will forever cherish you as my top-notch piercing and eyebrow tattoo studio,” one follower said.
If you were a customer of Arcane Body Arts, keep an eye on the Instagram page, as the shop is providing updates on the future of some of its former artists.
- You might also like:
- Vancouver gym offers a stunning third space and the city needs more
- Some Vancouver residents irked by 'gated' Kits Pool experience
- Vancouver's new takeout coffee and pastry window is a tucked away delight