2 best friends paint mural for Windsor restaurant after thief breaks window

While visiting one of their favourite Windsor, Ont., cocktail bars last week for a plate of charcuterie, best friends Alexandria Masse and Kaley Beecroft were not expecting to see one of the main windows boarded up. 

"There was this big, giant board across this giant window. I was really devastated, it was so sad," said Masse. 

Afternoon Drive5:44Best friends paint mural for Windsor restaurant after thief breaks window

Maiden Lane, a popular downtown cocktail bar in Windsor, had one of their main windows smashed in last week during a theft. But two best friends, Alexandria Masse and Kaley Beecroft, decided to rally together to help beautify the situation through a mural, painted on the plywood. Afternoon Drive's Josiah Sinanan pays them a visit to hear more.

Maiden Lane Wine and Spirits, a popular restaurant and lounge on Pelissier Street, experienced a break-in early last Friday. According to co-owner Sarah Dewar, an iPad, both debit terminals and several bottles of alcohol were taken, leaving a smashed-in window on what was expected to be a busy day. 

Masse said she offered to paint the boards covering the broken window.

"It's honestly the least I could do after what they've changed in the area," Masse said.

"Nowhere in Windsor is really like it." 

The mural is the first outdoor large painting Masse and Beecroft have created together, though they're used to working on different artistic endeavours as best friends. 

"I feel very accomplished to have helped the community," said Beecroft, adding the project took around two days, or 20 hours. 

The mural is inspired by Maiden Lane's menu, featuring cocktail glasses, a honeycomb, an orange slice, cut of cheese and even a smiling tin of sardines. Each element has its own section, coloured with green, red, yellow and blue. 

"It was so uplifting after a negative experience," said Dewar.

"We had a few friends who offered to paint the plywood, but Alex sent us mockups and options the following day so we told her to go for it."

According to Masse, who designed the mural on her iPad, she wanted to keep it colourful. 

"[The] yellow ties it into the building [itself] and because it's spring and everything is blooming right now, it's green again, the sky is blue. It worked perfect with the scenery." 

Dewar said they are awaiting DNA test results from a police investigation and that the person who broke in left behind a few personal items. She plans to place the mural near the patio space once the window is replaced.