And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you’re going to fall
Tell ’em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small
– Jefferson Airplane
After eight years, Headed West is changing up the massive mural on our original Broadway store. Before we part ways with it, we thought it a good idea to pay a little tribute by telling its’ story one last time and posting a photo.
It started out as a way to stop taggers from constantly defacing the side of the building and celebrate Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland at the same time. Our beloved owner, Michael, commissioned a group of local graffiti artists to do the work. Great for us and great for the community. A win-win, right? Check it out:
Picture courtesy of ACLU
Well, as the old saying goes, “A good deed never goes unpunished.” It didn’t take long for a neighbor to complain about it to city hall. A week later, Englewood City Council decided that it was too big and had failed to get a required permit, violating code. They threatened jail time and thousands of dollars in fines if the mural didn’t come down.
With apologies to The Clash, we fought the law and the law… lost. Though the city won its’ original court hearing, Headed West appealed and won. (Props to the ACLU, who represented us – pro bono – through the entire process). During the whole two year (TWO freakin’ years!!) legal battle, the community rallied around us. Since then, everyone from teenagers to senior citizens have stopped by to take photos of what has become a centerpiece to our little part of Broadway.
Now, after eight years, we are updating our ‘centerpiece’ with a little new magic that will definitely capture the hearts and minds of a new generation of citizens and customers alike. We can’t wait to show you. Stay tuned! EDIT: The new mural has been completed!
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY THAT IS OUR BRIGHT AND SHINY BROADWAY BUILDING……
Make sure to tell us what you think of the change in the comments below! <3
