Bangor, Maine Tavern Offers Vandal Chance To Make Amends, Money

Payment instead of punishment?

Longtime Downtown Bangor business owners Debbie and Peter Brountas, who have run the Main Tavern for years, recently had a wall on their building tagged with graffiti.

The McGuire Building, The Main Tavern via Facebook

The drawing was done on the backside of the brick wall along Short Street behind The Main Tavern, right around the corner from the big light-up "Hopeful" sign.

Hopeful sign, Google

But instead of prosecuting the perpetrator, the business owners did something different; they offered the individual a chance to make amends ... and some money.

Debbie took to social media and posted the offer for all to see:

Dear Misguided but Talented One. Although we are frustrated and annoyed at the placement of your most recent artwork, it is somewhat cute. We caught you on our surveillance but are not turning it into BPD. Instead, we would like to offer you the opportunity to help us clean this "mistake" and also earn $250 to paint a small mural. Please PM. Thank You.
Peter n Deb Brountas

Main Tavern Tag, Peter Brountas

"When I caught the graffiti on camera... my heart chose to extend graciousness in hopes of reaching this individual. HOPEFUL to reach his creative side."

Hopeful sign, Google

Debbie Brountas says she hopes the person who painted the wall sees the post, learns of the couple's offer, and takes them up on it, so something positive can come out of something negative.

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If you want to see some other art scattered around Downtown Bangor, there are plenty of places to look.

Here are just a few of the murals you can find within the city.

9 Murals You Can Find In Bangor

Within the city limits of Bangor, you can find these 9 murals. Some are large art installations that span the sidewalk or the length of an entire building. Some are a little smaller and harder to find. Have you seen them all?

Gallery Credit: Cori Skall