Did you see the big story on the local news? LOCAL BUSINESS PAINTS OVER JOVITA MOORE MURAL. The business is Joel and Charles Norman's Bellwood Coffee, who just opened a new location in Grant Park (W&MC had attended the soft opening a few days ago). The story first blew up Thursday on social media, where as usual all sorts of inaccurate accusations are flying around.
While we all remember Jovita from the WSB, she was never the icon that Monica Kauffman was - or so I thought. Evidently Jovita was a hero down in the Grant Park community. Her mural was on the side of the building for 7 years. Bellwood leased the building that had sat vacant for several years, and made renovations that evidently took out a good part of the mural.
Bellwood quickly worked to correct the misstep, explaining what had happened - and promised to make it right. But in today's shoot first / listen later society, social media commentors piled on. Said Bellwood should've done more research before painting over the mural. Rumors of protests. Many assumed Bellwood came in from out of town, that they weren't native Atlantans. Wrong. But did these irate posters do their research before posting all their untruths? No. How would Jovita have responded?
A few did reply with reasonable responses. Like most things, hopefully this will blow over quickly. Hopefully WSB won't continue to fans the flames on social media - but no, they've posted the story multiple times, heavy on the painting over the mural, with no mention of the spology and plans to make it right. Some investigative reporting / journalism on WSB's part. Instead of contacting Bellwood for a response, WSB simply read off their Instagram post.
Fact is that Bellwood Coffee is owned by three young guys who started with nothing. Started from scratch. At least two were born in Atlanta, and have spent their entire lives here. They live in the city and have worked to make intown neighborhoods nicer places to live. Bolton Road. East Atlanta Village. Decatur. Pershing Point. Riverside Apartments.
Drowning out by the attacks is the fact that Bellwood had designed a special menu for Black History Month, and donated the proceeds to black-owned businesses. And this is the tanks they get.
They'd hoped to do the same in Grant Park. Might've been easier for them to open locations in cushier locations like Johns Creek and Alpharetta, but they wanted to improve the city they love. Then they get piled on for making one misstep. And when they own up to it and promise to make it right, social media is unforgiving. Such is the sad world they live in. Another reason why I need to quit social media.
WSB used to be the gold standard for Atlanta news, helped in part by Kaufman and Jovita. The only station I would watch. But like most local news stations, nowadays they report on shootings and repeat the same liberal talking points fed to them by them national media. This story is the final nail in their coffin - I won't be tuning in any more.
My Friday: left out at 7:30 am and took 400 south to 285 east, around to 20 east. Got off at Wesley Chapel and took back roads southeast to the shooting range. Only one place to stop for over 30 minutes, at Hardees. Got a tasty loaded omelet biscuit.
Arrived at the Clays for Commerce event right at 9 am. Timed it pretty good. Our processor Evans Tool & Die hosts the event. Nice of them to invite me. McDonalds Egg McMuffins were provided. They were cold by the time I ate mine. The Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce opened the event with prayer and the national anthem, plus a big simultaneous firing of several of the shooters.
Good to hang out with my former coworkers. I haven't spoken with Alex and Jonathan since my number had changed. Jonathan gave me a well deserved hard time for ghosting him. It was good to see them again, as well as Angie and Brad and Leo. I thanked Ricky and Rodney (above right, with CEO wife Dee) from Evans for inviting me. Also spoke to Vicki, who I'd worked with for years. Eric had been looking forward to the event, but his year old Lexus broke down last night. Sounds like work continues to be challenging. Leo is scrambling to find material. Alex is the quality manager, and says he's constantly working to reduce errors.
Outback Steakhouse grilled lunch: burgers and chicken. The steak sandwiches looked bigger, but may not have been the best choice. Also macaroni & cheese and brownies. The experienced Evans team shot first: Ricky, CEO Dee and husband Rodney, and their son. Our guys shot 50 targets at 12:30. The score: Alex = 40 (below left), Leo = 38 (below right), and Brad = 30. We all headed out not long after that.
I had to drive the 1-1/2 from Covington across town to downtown Marietta, taking 20 west to downtown, then up 75 to the north 120 loop. Helped Anna get ready, holding baby Miler and coaxing her to sleep. By 330 she was on the road with Miller to Dahlonega for a rehearsal dinner. I brought Goose back to play with Winnie.
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