Overview
- Berlin police are investigating multiple LAP Coffee outlets defaced with paint last weekend as cases of criminal property damage.
- An Indymedia post in the name of “LAPCoffeeScheiße” claimed responsibility, but campaign spokesperson Mario Schneider says no verified connection has been established.
- The campaign’s open letter urges founder Ralph Hage to donate 80 percent of his wealth to build co‑determination structures and to close branches where local residents oppose them.
- LAP Coffee operates 13 locations in Berlin with a cheap to‑go model backed by venture investors such as HV Capital, and founder Ralph Hage has touted plans for roughly 100 stores and a “Red Bull of coffee” strategy.
- New commentary highlights growing backlash, with WELT noting a Berlin storefront tagged with a boycott slogan as the dispute over gentrification and scaling intensifies.