Overview of the Controversy

A Montclair pizza shop owned by Jason Rosenthal has ignited a viral controversy on TikTok after replacing an iconic mural with new artwork. The decision came as a surprise to many locals who cherished the original mural, which symbolized female empowerment and featured two elderly women.

Details of the Change

Rosenthal, who recently took over the pizza establishment on Walnut Street, commissioned a new mural from local artist Jen Flaum, showcasing pizzas. Flaum shared a post about her creation on TikTok, which quickly amassed 24 million views, further amplifying the debate surrounding the change.

Community Reactions

While the decision has faced significant backlash online, Rosenthal expressed surprise at the depth of connection the community had to the original artwork. He stated, “We knew people liked it. But in the four years, no one told us how much it meant to them.” He maintained that the mural’s replacement was intended solely as a refresh after five years.

Interestingly, local customers appear to be less concerned with the change. One patron commented, “I feel like it doesn’t matter because the mural fits now — it’s a pizza place.”

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Rosenthal mentioned that the mural may change again in another four to five years. For the time being, he aims to focus on running the shop and serving customers, steering clear of further controversy.