Neighbors of Bellwood Coffee’s new Grant Park shop did a double take when they realized the mural of beloved WSB‑TV anchor Jovita Moore on the side of the building had been painted over. The decision set off swift backlash online and pushed the cafe to apologize and promise that new public art is on the way.
Hey, it’s us. We knew Jovita Moore’s story, but we truly had no idea how much this specific mural meant to the community of Atlanta. Unfortunately, the windows in our buildout cut into the mural significantly. Seeing how much this mural meant to so many, we realize we made a… — Bellwood Coffee (@Bellwoodcoffeee) May 1, 2026
Owner Replies on X
In a post on X, the shop wrote that “we knew Jovita Moore’s story, but we truly had no idea how much this specific mural meant to the community of Atlanta,” adding that new windows in the buildout “cut into the mural significantly.” Bellwood Coffee on X shared the message as frustrated comments from neighbors piled up. The company said it was taking in the criticism and would work to make amends.
Company Apologizes, Pledges New Mural
Later, the business issued a longer public apology, acknowledging, “We made a mistake and acted without enough consideration,” and promising to commission a replacement mural. As reported by WSB‑TV, the owners said they want to “listen well to our community” and slow down before making any future decisions that have a big neighborhood impact. The statement was paired with a list of steps the shop said it would take to repair its relationship with locals.
How the Mural Started
The Jovita Moore tribute first appeared in 2021 during a wave of support for the anchor as she battled cancer. WSB‑TV reported that the digital version of the mural “lit up the Atlanta skyline” as part of the #JovitaStrong campaign. The wall in question is at Bellwood’s Grant Park space, the new cafe at 568 Boulevard SE, according to coverage of the move from Atlanta Coffee Shops.
Why This Resonated
Public art is not just background scenery in Atlanta. Murals are a kind of outdoor memory bank and open conversation. The city now has more than 2,000 murals, according to The Atlanta Journal‑Constitution, which notes that these works often honor losses, celebrate local icons and help define neighborhood identity. In that context, painting over a memorial to a widely respected journalist landed hard, even as the restaurant maintained that the change was an unintentional byproduct of construction.
Bellwood says it will commission a new mural and has invited community input on what should replace the tribute and where it should go. Neighbors and fans of Moore say they will be watching to see if the apology turns into a new public homage worthy of her legacy.
