It's an Atlanta bar known for its crazy name and unique decor. But that combination may have been the reason for recent vandalism, its owner told the AJC.
After breaking the windows at Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium on Edgewood Avenue at Boulevard, the vandals went inside and targeted the alcohol, Grant Henry said Monday evening.
"They went in and destroyed the altar where all the liquor is," Henry said.
After getting a call from his security alarm company shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday, Henry said he quickly drove to the art gallery-inspired bar. He found front windows with the word "church" were broken. And inside, beer poured from the taps, pooling on the floor, and bottles of liquor were smashed.
"They stole no liquor, they just slammed it on the ground on broke it," Henry said. "It definitely was a target."
Atlanta police told Henry the vandalism appeared to be a hate crime, possibly because his "church" serves alcohol -- its website shows images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. surrounded by liquor bottles -- which some may find offensive.
But the vandals won't scare him away, said Henry, who estimated the damages totaled at least $3,000. The bar, which opened in September 2010, was open for business Saturday night.
"I really believe in the area," Henry said. "This has not deterred me at all."
The owner plans to add security cameras inside and outside, in case the bar is targeted again.
"If it happens again, we'll know he did it," Henry said.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Atlanta police.
About the Author
