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Barzini’s has avoided being padlocked—for now. On Wednesday, February 5, the grocery store’s attorneys reached an agreement with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to suspend litigation while the store remains closed, undergoes cleanup, and passes a health inspection with “substantial compliance.”
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However, if Barzini’s reopens without state approval, the sheriff is authorized to padlock the store or otherwise enforce its closure for 30 days—without further notice—according to court records. The grocer admitted to operating in January despite an order to close due to “severe insanitary conditions.” During our visit to speak with the manager on January 27, he denied that the store had been open.
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If Barzini’s fails its next health inspection—or any future one—due to critical violations, it must immediately stop selling food and cease operations until it passes a follow-up inspection with “substantial compliance.” Even if violations are corrected during the inspection, it will still count as a failure. In the event of a failure, Barzini’s must shut down immediately until the violations are corrected in a subsequent inspection.
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Should Barzini’s fail two inspections within the next two years, the store will lose its license and be required to follow a state-monitored corrective action plan to address the issues found during the inspection. If the store misses a payment, it will face immediate judgment for the remaining $14,400 balance. Additionally, the store will face fines ranging from $400 to $500 if its staff does not complete the food safety course, depending on their job title.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Barzini’s. If they pass two consecutive inspections, pay off $8,000 of their fine (with the remaining balance still owed), and fulfill their staff safety training, they will be absolved from the above terms. They’ll also regain their 20-C Food Processing Establishment License. However, if Barzini’s fails two consecutive inspections within the next two years, their license will be suspended.
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What does substantial compliance mean? Most rats are gone? Sale of expired food is mostly eliminated?
who on earth would buy anything from them after all this? gross
And will there be an “Under New Management” sign in front (whether true or not)?
This business has repeatedly thumbed its nose at any regulations and yet despite this, continues to operate. While closed (in theory anyway), there were pictures taken of shoppers exiting the store after having made purchases.
Okay, so if a decision has been made to give them one more chance, why isn’t it with the caveat “100% compliance”.
Since it should be public information, please publish the name(s) of those regulatory officials who have oversight of this store.
And who will monitor their habit of overcharging credit cards? There are a staggering number of complaints by customers over many years.
I’m guessing they’ll just be self-monitoring — like Elon.
Like putting lipstick on a pig. I wouldn’t buy there again if they made the floor lickably clean, the store sunshine bright, and renamed it “Disney.”