One day after someone spray-painted an expletive across Jo's Coffee's "I love you so much" wall on South Congress, the beloved art has been restored.
The backdrop of countless photos posted by both tourists and Austin residents, the wall is an iconic part of Austin.
Austinite Robert Quimby was on his way to work Monday morning when he spotted the expletive-laced graffiti and snapped a picture. He then shared it with his wife, Stefanie Quimby, who reached out to KVUE. KVUE blacked out the expletive:
The Quimbys took their engagement photos in front of the wall. Later when they had a daughter, the wall served as the backdrop for a family photo.
"I have so many wonderful memories here as well as a lot of other people from all over," Stefanie Quimby said. "Whoever did this is obviously sick and has no respect for what is beautiful."
KVUE's and the Austin American-Statesman's Tony Plohetski later confirmed the new graffiti with Jo's Coffee.
Later in the morning Monday, KVUE's Michael Perchick spotted someone painting over the graffiti:
Iconic sign and popular tourist attraction "I love you so much" sign painted over after somebody spray painted "F**k Austin" over it @KVUE pic.twitter.com/pEjdcavhaU
— Mike Perchick (@MichaelPerchick) March 6, 2017
On Tuesday, Perchick checked back in with Jo's and found a freshly-painted wall:
It's baaaaaaack! Iconic "I love you so much" sign replaced a day after it was vandalized @KVUE @joscoffee pic.twitter.com/NXoROPLC5C
— Mike Perchick (@MichaelPerchick) March 7, 2017
"We have to make sure love prevails in this situation," a representative told Perchick.
No one has been arrested or charged in connection with the vandalism.
