According to high level sources, "At approximately 5:50 p.m. We received a call from Comissioner Robert Edman. He gave Magnolia Bakery verbal authorization to reopen immediately because we were taking immediate steps to cure the violations for which we were cited. The bakery will likely reopen tomorrow morning." To our knowledge, this is highly unprecedented. For the Department of Health's part, they say:
Magnolia Bakery was temporarily closed by the Health Department today. Inspectors were conducting a scheduled pre-permit inspection because of a change in ownership and found that there was no handwashing sink for the food preparation area (which protocol dictates should result in a closure for this type of inspection). The Department is working to re-open the bakery soon on a temporary basis while they resolve the issue.
It should be noted that on their previous inspection, dated 4/28/06, Magnolia scored a very respectable 16 violations points (Facility not vermin proof; evidence of mice; appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer not provided) and, certainly, the bakery was not cited for a violation related to sinks (violation in question excerpted from the DOH handbook above). Sources say, as well, that inspectors on site this time around actually noted improvements in the overall condition of the restaurant. There's more to this one, folks, and we're working to dig up the good for you, but in the meantime we have to ask the very basic, and stunning, question: Did Department of Health go a bit too far with this one?
· Magnolia Bakery Issues Official Statement on Department of Health Shutdown: 'the bakery has operated without this sink for the past 10 years' [~E~]
· Breaking: MAGNOLIA BAKERY CLOSED BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [~E~]
UPDATE: The Health Department adds, "Magnolia will be authorized to re-open tonight as they have demonstrated that they are installing the required sink. We will visit the restaurant again tomorrow to re-inspect and ensure that the facility is up to standards."
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