Bow Truss in Pilsen Again Roasted with Anti-Gentrification Graffiti

Almost exactly nine months since it was first hit with anti-gentrification graffiti, vandals have again struck the Bow Truss Coffee Roasters in Pilsen, and owner Phil Tadros wants those responsible to come forward. It’s unknown if the same parties responsible for defacing the coffee shop’s facade earlier this year are back it again. However the messages are more direct this time around, as a sticker affixed to the shop’s window read: “White people out of Pilsen!”

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That bigoted message is misplaced, Tadros reasoned, who said he’s not sure if the messages targets his staff or customers. His family’s from Jordan, and Tadros–a Chicagoan–said his company has a diverse staff consisting of different ethnicities.

There have been five incidents of vandalism over the last two-to-three weeks with the latest happening Sunday night/Monday morning. The stickers resemble the Chicago flag with different messages including “Pilsen still doesn’t want you.” A door was also tagged with “Pilsen is not for sale!” Bow Truss’ sales don’t seem to show that the community doesn’t want them, as they continue to grow in Pilsen, Tadros added. Pilsen is known as a community with Mexican roots that’s been changing in recent years.

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