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| Dunkin’ Donuts on Woodhaven Boulevard was shut down briefly this week for sanitary violations. PHOTO BY ERIKA USUI |
The establishment, at 63-65 Woodhaven Blvd. on the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Penelope Avenue, was cited with 40 violation points by the Health Department. It reopened on Wednesday morning.
According to inspection reports, three major sanitary violations were made: Food was found to be contaminated or not discarded properly, evidence of mice were present and the facility was not vermin-proof.
Since July 2010, the department has required restaurants to post letter grades showing the result of their sanitary inspections. A score of 0 to 13 recieves an A grade, 14 to 27 points a B and 28 points or more a C.
If a restaurant scores 28 or more points, inspections continue roughly once a month until the score drops or the facility is closed for persistent violations.
An inspection earlier in the month, on Jan. 19, cited Dunkin’ with 26 violation points. Two 2009 inspections, in March and December, cited 12 and 20 points, respectively.
A reinspection date for the establishment is not yet set, Health Department spokesman Erin Hughes said on Monday, but the store reopened less than 48 hours later.
Many neighbors say the doughnut shop is the busiest in the borough, and that the shut-down created an irritating detour in their coffee-run routine, especially in the snow.
Though a 40-point violation is major, “I'll come back here for munchies once things are cleaned up,” said Susan Press of Rego Park.
Inspections conducted in summer of 2010 gave the two nearest Dunkin’ Donuts in the area better scores.
The establishment at 96-37 Queens Blvd. near 63rd Drive was cited with 5 points, but has not yet received a grade. The establishment at 95-56 Queens Blvd., near the other leg of 63rd Drive, was cited with 6 points and an A grade.
