Amore! US tourist in Wigan gets mint ball tattoo


An American visitor on a tour of the United Kingdom got a tattoo on her arm to mark her dream visit… to the Mint Balls factory in Wigan.

American tourist Kristi Kimmel (right), 48, on a sightseeing tour of the UK has had a tattoo inked on her arm to commemorate her dream holiday... to Wigan

American tourist Kristi Kimmel (right), 48, on a sightseeing tour of the UK has had a tattoo inked on her arm to commemorate her dream holiday... to Wigan


Kristi Kimmel, 48, underwent the needle to obtain the iconic shot following a visit to Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls sweet factory in the Greater Manchester city, ahead of other tourist sights such as the Angel of the North, York Minster, and Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

The sleeve tattoo is now prominently displayed on her right arm, with other tattoos of persons she holds dear.

William Santus founded Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls in Wigan in 1898; the business has been passed down through family generations and is currently owned by the founder’s great nephews.

Mrs Kimmel got the tattoo of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls after visiting the sweet factory in the northern town

Mrs Kimmel got the tattoo of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls after visiting the sweet factory in the northern town

Mrs. Kimmel from Frederick, Maryland stated, “When we visited our friends in Wigan, my friend Alice Kinley took me to a candy store. Uncle Joe’s bright red tin with a smiling figure attracted my attention. I grabbed it up and declared, “This is mine.”

She informed me that they are manufactured in Wigan, which is renowned worldwide for this sweet. She continued by stating that they have existed for over a century. That increased my affection for them.’

Kristi Kimmel (right), a 48-year-old American on a sightseeing trip of the United Kingdom, got a tattoo to memorialize her fantasy vacation… to Wigan.

Uncle Joe's Mint Balls was  established in Wigan 1898 by William Santus and ownership has been passed down through the family generations and is currently owned by John and Antony Winnard, Mr Williams's great nephews. Pictured: Uncle Joe's sweet factory in Wigan, Greater Manchester

Uncle Joe's Mint Balls was  established in Wigan 1898 by William Santus and ownership has been passed down through the family generations and is currently owned by John and Antony Winnard, Mr Williams's great nephews. Pictured: Uncle Joe's sweet factory in Wigan, Greater Manchester

Mrs. Kimmel received a tattoo depicting Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls after touring the candy factory in the northern town.

William Santus founded Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls in Wigan in 1898; ownership has been passed down through family generations and is currently held by John and Antony Winnard, Mr. Williams’s great nephews. Uncle Joe’s confectionery factory in Wigan, Greater Manchester

She continued, “When we returned home, I placed the tin on a shelf in my kitchen where I could see it every day.” I enjoyed retelling the story to everyone who inquired about it.

“When I chose to get a sleeve tattoo, I wanted to include significant symbols. Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls were the ideal representation of Wigan and our cherished friends.

On her last visit to Wigan, last month, Mrs Kimmel went to take pictures of the Uncle Joe's factory and was invited inside for a tour

On her last visit to Wigan, last month, Mrs Kimmel went to take pictures of the Uncle Joe's factory and was invited inside for a tour

Alice informed me that her nephew has a tattoo similar to mine.

She has three stars for her husband Rick and two sons, an autistic jigsaw piece for her youngest son, and ten-year-old peonies for her mother.

Managing director John Winward MBE (pictured) said he was 'delighted to find out why Kristi wanted to visit our factory and that she chose our logo to represent the warm and friendly welcome she received in Wigan'

Managing director John Winward MBE (pictured) said he was 'delighted to find out why Kristi wanted to visit our factory and that she chose our logo to represent the warm and friendly welcome she received in Wigan'

Her Little Prince tattoo reminds her of her son’s experience with autism, while the chameleon represents her adaptability.

Kristi has been to California and across the United States, as well as the Dominican Republic and Morocco, yet her only tattoo depicts Wigan.

On her most recent trip to Wigan, last month, she was invited inside the Uncle Joe’s factory to take photographs.

When staff discovered her tattoo, they presented her with an Uncle Joe’s T-shirt and a short book detailing the history of the company’s sweets and its growth.

Kristie stated, “I carried several cans home.” I hung one on my work station and can now tell the fantastic tale of meeting everyone at the plant. There are many magnificent places in the world, but Wigan is the best.’

Wigan Pier and the DW Stadium, home of Wigan Athletic Football Club and Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club, are two of the most recognizable landmarks in the historic cotton and mining town.

Mrs. Kimmel was invited to view the Uncle Joe’s factory during her latest trip to Wigan, which took place last month.

A perfect resemblance: Kristi Kimmel’s tattoo of the Uncle Joe’s emblem done in a tattoo parlor (left) and a container of the traditional Mint Balls manufactured in Wigan (right).

John Winward MBE, the managing director, was ecstatic to learn why Kristi wanted to visit our factory and that she chose our emblem to reflect the wonderful welcome she got in Wigan.

John Winnard MBE and Antony Winnard, joint managing directors of Uncle Joe’s, said in a statement, ‘We were happy to learn why Kristi wanted to visit our factory and honored that she chose our logo to represent the warm and kind welcome she received in Wigan.

“The town is occasionally seen negatively, generally by individuals who have never been there, but we believe it is the greatest location on earth.” We are ecstatic that Kirsti agrees.’

William Santus and Co Ltd, a privately held confectionery firm founded in 1898 and situated in Wigan, manufactures Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls.

John Winnard MBE and Antony Winnard are the great, great nephews of the firm’s founder and are co-Managing Directors of the company.

Mrs. Santus made the first Mint Balls in her kitchen in 1898, and the confections continue to be produced using the same traditional processes.

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