Berlin, September 11, 2026 – LAP Coffee, a rapidly expanding coffee chain founded in Berlin, has responded to repeated acts of vandalism at its Graefestraße branch in Berlin-Kreuzberg by transforming the defaced property into a temporary art installation. The initiative, dubbed ‘Vandalism Becomes Vernissage,’ sees spray-painted walls and menu boards recontextualized with exhibition-style plaques, turning acts of destruction into public displays.
LAP Coffee’s Creative Response to Vandalism
Since its inception in 2023, LAP Coffee, founded by Ralph Hoge and Tonalli Arreola, has frequently been the target of vandalism and graffiti. The latest incident involved the windows, walls, and price boards of its Kreuzberg location being covered in paint. Instead of merely cleaning up the damage, co-founder Ralph Hoge decided to embrace the defacement as a temporary artistic statement, coinciding with Berlin Art Week.
“Building a consumer brand in Germany teaches you to expect the unexpected and to deal with whatever comes your way in a targeted manner. Since it’s Berlin Art Week, we decided to put up a plaque instead,” Hoge stated, explaining the company’s unconventional approach.
‘Vandalization, Artist Unknown, 2026, Spray Paint on Glass’
A video shared on Instagram shows a small sign being affixed below the originally blue, now light-colored, defaced menu board on the exterior wall. Mimicking a gallery exhibit, the plaque details the ‘artwork’s’ title, artist, year of creation, and materials used. For the Graefestraße board, the plaque reads: “Vandalization, Artist Unknown, 2026, Spray Paint on Glass.”
This unique response aims to reclaim the narrative from the perpetrators. Hoge clarified the company’s stance: “No, we are not celebrating vandalism. Graffiti can be art, but deliberately damaging someone else’s workplace is pathetic.” He added, “If people insist on painting our walls for free, it would be wasteful not to display them.”
LAP Coffee’s Growth and Market Impact
LAP Coffee operates 37 branches across six German cities, including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Cologne. Berlin alone hosts 22 of these locations. The chain’s business model focuses on small outlets with limited seating and quick, app-based ordering.
The company’s low pricing strategy, reflected in its name LAP (Life Among People), has been a point of contention with established coffee houses and chains, particularly in local neighborhoods where traditional cafés feel under pressure from the new competitor.
A Message to the Vandalizers
Hoge believes that the ‘Vandalism Becomes Vernissage’ campaign will ultimately strengthen the brand. “What was meant to hurt LAP Coffee is now bringing even more people together,” he commented. He also had a direct message for the unknown vandals: “No, they will not receive a commission on coffee purchases.”
This creative counter-response highlights LAP Coffee’s resilience and innovative marketing strategy in the face of ongoing challenges, turning negative incidents into opportunities for public engagement and brand visibility.
Source: https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article413127653/vandalismus-wird-vernissage-wie-lap-coffee-mit-filial-beschaedigungen-umgeht.html
