Graffiti Retreat Is Making Its Mark as a Cafe for the Cultured

When you come in off the street, the dramatic colors in Graffiti Retreat are loud and vibrant enough to temporarily take your breath away. The place drips purple, from lavender swirls on the walls to tablecloths the color of Concord grapes.

A vivid oil-on-canvas mural titled “Understanding Leads to Unity,” painted by local high school students, takes up the better part of one wall. A variety of prints by famous painters lines another and 24 papier-mache masks created by local youths adorn the front windows.

Graffiti Retreat, which is devoid of any real graffiti, opened Oct. 7 and is Baldwin Park’s first coffeehouse, art gallery, bookstore and performance space.

Robert and Eddie Ochoa-Schutz said people were skeptical of their idea of opening a place such as Graffiti Retreat in a city like Baldwin Park, which Eddie said is a city with a bad reputation.

“Baldwin Park is usually associated with high crime, trash and graffiti, but we decided to take a chance,” Eddie said. “And we think people here will support an institution like this which enhances the community.”

Eddie and Robert, companions for 15 years, moved to Baldwin Park nine years ago with no intention of staying permanently. Over time, they said, the city grew on them.

“There are so many great people here and it’s a city on its way to becoming a progressive, creative place,” Eddie said.

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Robert, 39, has been on the city Planning Commission for three years, was recently named Baldwin Park’s citizen of the year and always wanted to open a bookstore. Eddie, 51, has long had a passion for art and decorating.

They decided to open Graffiti Retreat because they strongly believe that the 71,000 residents of Baldwin Park have the right to a place where they can come to buy a book, enjoy art and share a good time with family and friends over a cup of cappuccino.

“I believe there are refined, cultured and talented people in Baldwin Park who shouldn’t have to go to Pasadena for a decent cafe,” Eddie said.

The pair said they put every dime they own into their new project.

Graffiti Retreat will have new art exhibits every six weeks and plans to have live music nightly. The menu consists of the usual espresso-bar drinks, soups, sandwiches and baked goods.

Graffiti Retreat, 14326 Ramona Blvd., Baldwin Park. (818) 962-6561. Open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sandwiches priced up to $5.95.