Business Owner Says Controversial Mural Will Stay up – Pasadena Now

The owners of a coffee shop where a controversial mural is located told community members in Altadena on Monday that the mural would remain because it is the “greatest service” to the community and the customers. 

According to some, the mural – which some say depicts Black men attacking each other and struggling over weapons.

“We understand your concerns and really value everyone’s input,” said Alan Janoyan, who owns the coffee shop where the mural is located. “Over the last three weeks, we listened to a lot of feedback and surveyed our community to understand everyone’s interpretations of the mural and we have engaged in productive discussions with people from all backgrounds.  We believe the greatest service to our community and our customers is to have the mural remain up until we commission the next one.”

Janoyan said the coffee shop has adjusted its guidelines for future projects to accommodate community requests.

Over the past several weeks there have been several protests at the coffee shop as community members attempt to convince the owners to remove the mural. 

Locals believed the two sides were coming together this past weekend. 

“It is absurd that they chose violence and chaos over peace and unity,” said Heavenly Hughes of My Tribe Rise. “They gaslighted all of us to believe they wanted what’s best for the community. Then slapped us in our face with this response.”

Hughes said a demonstration is being planned for this weekend beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. 

In an email to Janoyan, Altadena Town Councilman Nic Arnzen said the owner’s choice has given the community a clear picture of who the business owner is.

“This is not my tract, it’s not my personal pain, but I see a community asking to be heard and a store owner shutting them down,” Arnzen said. “I stand with the community.

For me this defines who you are and what Unincorporated Coffee stands for.  Not the community but the product and your own opinion and comfort.”

The mural has renewed the centuries old discussion on the purpose of art with some saying that art should promote discussion and sometimes make people uncomfortable.

“For me, the artwork is an all-too-accurate mirror of society at large, as we are all-too-often at each other’s throats — if not literally, then certainly when using social media,” said longtime activist Rene Amy. “Claws out, reptilian brain engaged, far too many folks attack each other whenever the chance arises. It makes me feel that whatever I may do to help others is not enough, and it spurs me on to look for more ways to be helpful, not hurtful. It makes me think of the words of onetime Altadena resident Rodney King, Jr. (who lived about a block from me, and that much closer to this neighborhood shop), ‘Can’t we all just get along?’”

Others believe art should reflect community and be used to promote unity. 

“We will work hard to get more applicants with stricter vetting in the next cycle,” said Janoyan. “We encourage anyone who is unsatisfied with the violence in the mural to speak to the town council and ask them to change the guidelines for public murals to prevent this in the future.

“We will continue to serve the neighborhood with the same positive spirit as always and unite the community the only way we know how, through great coffee, connecting neighbors, and fostering a comfortable space.”