Phil Sims is a well-known figure in the tattoo industry whose career began at a remarkably young age on The Pike in Long Beach. Starting as a shop gopher at Fred Thornton’s tattoo shop at 3 Pacific Way at age 8, he performed his first professional tattoo at just 10 years old. Sims’ early experiences selling newspapers and shining sailors’ shoes instilled in him a love for the vibrant Pike atmosphere. He eventually worked at various shops throughout The Pike, including the current Outer Limits Tattoo location at 22 Chestnut Place, solidifying his deep connection to the historical Long Beach tattoo scene.
