Mobster mug shots removed from Dorchester restaurant after blowback

A huge mug shot of Whitey Bulger is no longer the first thing customers see when they walk through the front door of Savin Bar + Kitchen.

The photo — and others depicting Bulger’s mob associates — prompted outrage, a call for a petition from the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, and a front-page story in The Reporter that led to international media coverage.

The framed images, part of a makeover honchoed by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, will be replaced by historic images unrelated to the notorious mobsters who killed the former bar owner Eddie Connors in 1978.

At a Monday night meeting of the civic association, the group dropped the idea of petitioning the current owners, noting that the media coverage had already resulted in the desired removals.

Bill Walczak, the president of the civic group, read an email from Savin Bar + Kitchen co-owner Ken Osherow that relayed news that the producers of the Ramsay TV show “Secret Service” would assist in replacing the controversial décor.

Donna McColgan, the Savin Hill neighbor who raised her objection to the display at last month’s civic meeting, said she appreciated “the support from everyone who suffered and saw their brothers, sisters, and family murdered or victimized by Whitey Bulger and Stephen Flemmi.”

Added neighbor Jeanie Doherty: “I think we should acknowledge Donna McColgan for holding the line on this thing.”

WBUR and the Dorchester Reporter have a partnership in which the news organizations share resources to collaborate on stories. This story was originally published by the Dorchester Reporter.