Milky Way Mural Is Gone

When Whole Foods moved into the building that used to house Hi-Lo Foods, some residents insisted that the murals on the front and back of the building be kept. Whole Foods .

But an adjacent mural hasn't fared so well. Within the past week, the colorful Milky Way mural has been painted over in battleship gray to match the rest of the building.

Passersby varied in their reactions. Alex Vermeulen of JP said that neighborhoods change.

"It's private property. The landlord can do what he wants with it," said Vermeulen.

Another resident, Joe Wyatt, wasn't so charitable toward Mordechai Levin, the owner of the parcel that used to house the Milky Way.

The parcel has been vacant since 2009, after Bella Luna Restaurant/Milky Way Lounge left the building. Levin increased the rent from $13,000 a month to $24,000 a month, according to a 2008 JP Gazette story.

The landlord having to pay taxes on an empty, non-revenue producing building is just desserts, said Wyatt.

"I consider it a piece of justice he's been unable to lease it," said Wyatt. "As far as I can tell, he's trying to destroy the neighborhood."

Levin could not be immediately reached for comment about whether a new tenant is in the works. since at least March.

The is still in JP, having moved to the Brewery to become an anchor tenant.