Federal Judge Rules Conway N.H. Bakery Mural Protected as Free Speech

A federal judge ruled that the town of Conway, New Hampshire, violated the First Amendment by enforcing its sign ordinance against a mural painted on the front of Leavitt’s Country Bakery. The mural, created by local high school students, depicts baked goods arranged like a mountain range and a sunrise, reflecting the region's character. Town officials classified the mural as an oversized commercial sign because it featured products sold by the bakery, thus subjecting it to strict size limits. However, the court found this selective enforcement unconstitutional, noting that the ordinance was applied in an operationally illogical and content-based manner. The judge ordered the town to cease enforcement actions against the mural, allowing the artwork to remain, and affirmed that the mural represents both free speech rights and community spirit. The bakery owner celebrated the ruling as a victory for artistic expression and First Amendment protections, while the town acknowledged the ruling but maintained it acted in good faith.