Kenny Weinstock, or Kenny the Body Piercer as he’s known to his customers, has relocated his office from The Magic Door to his own piercing studio, Out On A Whim, 127 E. Lincoln Highway, and opened for business March 21.

Weinstock, who started his career doing house calls, has spent the last two years piercing ears, lips, eyebrows and any other body part imaginable on more than 7,000 people. A majority of that 7,000 have been NIU students. Over time, his popularity in the community grew to the point where Weinstock had to expand his business.

“I never knew what I was walking into when I walked into people’s houses on house calls,” Weinstock said. “Business became overwhelming, and I needed even a bigger studio than I had at the Magic Door.”

And that’s why Weinstock says he decided to open Out On A Whim.

Weinstock received medical training at Waubonsee Community College before going to work for three years at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, where he spent time in the lab drawing blood and in the surgical unit.

“The problem with working in the hospital is that people commonly die a lot,” Weinstock said. “I needed something that wasn’t quite as stressful.”

Seeking a less stressful means to use his medical skills, Weinstock took an apprenticeship in Madison, Wis., for tattooing and body piercing, where he received a piercing license.

Weinstock believes his piercing license sets him apart from other piecers in the area, since Illinois doesn’t have any laws requiring licenses. It helps his store remain respectable, Weinstock said.

“If you walk in and it doesn’t look right, then don’t do it,” Weinstock said. “If it has a clean, healthy environment, then just make sure you ask a lot of questions just to be safe.”

Weinstock pierces in a sterile room, using pre-packaged instruments that are sterilized before they are used and thrown away after one use.

To utilize his new area as best he can, Weinstock plans to expand his business by selling incense, candles and a large assortment of body jewelry — all at wholesale prices.

“I think that many college students just do don’t have a lot of money, and if we keep items within their price range, we will be a big success,” Weinstock said.

Weinstock also offers bargains on piercing, including his grand opening sale on tongue piercing at $20 and navel piercing at $10. Those prices include starter jewelry. All piercings also include an after-care kit and instructions on how to clean and take care of your piercing.

“People come from all over the place with questions on any piercing problems or in need of help changing their piercing, and we never charge anything for advice or assistance.”

Over time, Weinstock plans to propose to the City Council the possibility of tattooing at Out On A Whim. Tatooing is banned in DeKalb County.