Bakery in New Hampshire wins in free speech case over a pastry shop painting
May 20, 2025
A federal judge says a New Hampshire town’s attempt to force a bakery to remove or alter its painting featuring pastries is unconstitutional. The judge ruled Monday that the town of Conway infringed on the free speech rights of bakery owner Sean Young. The town was ordered to stop enforcing its sign code for the mural painted by high school students atop Leavitt’s Country Bakery. The mural shows sunbeams shining down on a mountain range of doughnuts, a muffin, a cinnamon roll and other pastries. The zoning board had said that because the painting showed what’s sold inside — baked goods — it was considered a sign and was larger than what code allows. Young sued in 2023.
