In his first published interview since a TikTok video criticizing the mural change at Brick + Dough went viral, owner Jason Rosenthal sits down with The Montclair Pod to share his side of the story.

Rosenthal walks us through the decision to paint over the original mural—an evocative 2021 piece by Jayemaich depicting two elderly women, meant to represent “the wear of time being oppressed”—and replace it with a new mural by Jen Flaum that celebrates pizza as a form of art. While the mural swap quietly happened months ago, it only recently caught fire on social media, triggering a wave of backlash and a barrage of negative online reviews from people both near and far.

Recorded mid-morning during his prep shift, this conversation offers a rare and personal glimpse into how small businesses navigate public perception, artistic evolution, and the ripple effects of viral culture. Rosenthal reflects on what he might have done differently and why he still stands by the original mural’s message.

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