A new ear piercing studio has set up shop at Tysons Corner Center.
Studs, a growing national chain started in New York City, opened its first Virginia location at the mall’s second level near Nordstrom (1961 Chain Bridge Road, Suite J8U) on Aug. 13.
Though it’s just 960 square feet in size, the studio features three piercing rooms as well as an Earbar, where customers can pick from over 250 different earrings that range in price from $10 to $160 and can be purchased in singles or pairs.
Studs was founded in 2019 by friends Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers, who opened their first studio in Manhattan out of a desire to “reimagine” the ear-piercing experience for a new generation. After closing its stores and shifting to digital sales during the first year of the pandemic, the company resumed plans to expand its brick-and-mortar presence in April 2021.
Supported by an apprenticeship program that has trained hundreds of workers in the art of ear piercing, Studs now has 35 locations across the country, including two in D.C.
After opening a studio in Georgetown in 2023 and adding a second at Union Market last year, the chain looked at Tysons Corner Center as “a natural next step” for expanding its presence in the region, Studs associate marketing manager Hannah Blaze says.
“When selecting new Studs Studios, we look for neighborhoods with strong Gen Z and millennial populations and shopping areas with consistent foot traffic from both locals and visitors,” Blaze said by email. “We’ve seen incredible success with our Studios in nearby Washington, D.C., and expanding to Tysons felt like a natural next step as we continue to grow our presence in the DMV area.”
In addition to ear piercings, a service available to people 13 and older, the Tysons studio offers earrings for sale, checkups and jewelry changes. Customers can book an appointment in advance or walk in during operating hours, which run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The opening of Studs continued a busy summer at Tysons Corner Center, which saw the return of Barnes & Noble in June and unveiled a new “Peppa Pig” experience at Camp in July. The entertainment and dining concept Level99 will launch this coming Monday (Aug. 25).
Several other new or relocating retailers are under construction, from fashion outlets like Skims and Cole Haan to the Vietnamese food stall Clay Bowl and an escape room venue called The Escape Game. Work is also underway on Maggiano’s Little Italy, which is moving after nearly 30 years at Tysons Galleria.
