Brick & Dough Owner Speaks Out On Mural Controversy

For nearly five years, a striking mural loomed over Brick and Dough’s side wall — a close-up of two older women’s faces, a reflection on hardship, resilience, and female oppression. Painted by artist Jayemaich during the politically charged summer of 2020, the piece, entitled The Curse of Socrates, became a quiet but powerful landmark for passersby on Grove Street.

In late 2024, without public notice, the mural was painted over. In its place: a colorful new work celebrating pizza as a form of artistic expression, created by local artist Jen Flaum, a childhood friend of the restaurant’s owner Jason Rosenthal.

Inside Brick and Dough, business continued as usual. It wasn’t until months later that backlash surfaced, largely online, as word spread that the original mural — and its social commentary — had been replaced.

“We loved the original mural. We stand by the message,” Rosenthal said in a recent interview on The Montclair Pod. “But after five years, we wanted a change. It wasn’t about disagreeing with the meaning.”

Rosenthal explained that the decision to update the artwork coincided with Brick and Dough’s evolution from a mostly takeout operation into a full-service restaurant. As the brand identity shifted, he said, the team sought to create an exterior that better matched the restaurant’s focus on pizza as craft and creativity.

Still, the removal sparked frustration among some in the community and beyond, particularly because one of the mural’s subjects was a woman of color and the piece was installed during a pivotal social justice moment. Online critics accused the business of disregarding the mural’s significance.

Rosenthal said he understood why people might feel confused or upset, but denied any political motives. “If we had disagreed with the message, it wouldn’t have stayed up for five years,” he said.

The artist, Jayemaich, was not consulted about the change. According to Rosenthal, the two had not stayed in contact following the mural’s completion.

Looking back, Rosenthal acknowledged that more communication might have helped. “Maybe we should have announced it, given people a chance to come see it one last time,” he said. “But at the time, it felt like a routine decision. We’re just a pizza place.”

Since the mural swap, Brick and Dough has received negative online reviews, some from outside the local area. Despite this, Rosenthal said the restaurant’s core customer base remains strong.

“This place, our food, our art — it’s all made with love,” he said. “And that’s something that hasn’t changed.”