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Cronut Bakery Dominique Ansel Shut Down For "Severe Mouse Infestation"
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 4, 2014
Modified Apr 5, 2014
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 4, 2014
Modified Apr 5, 2014
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Yesterday a customer at Dominique Ansel filmed a mouse scurrying across the floor, behind the counter... where your Cronuts are. While the bakery was open earlier today, by 3 p.m. it was closed and the above notice was slapped on the door by the Department of Health—they had previously given the bakery an A rating.
A spokesperson from the DoH told us: "The establishment was closed by the Department because of a severe mouse infestation that requires professional pest control services." Here's the video we received showing the mouse yesterday:
A rep for the bakery, Amy Ma, told us in an email early this morning that "the team and our staff went through an entire deep cleaning session that lasted 7 whole hours with some of managers pulling a full 24 shift and Chef on his knees searching yesterday. They didn't find anything and anticipate it may have come from the outside as we have a greenhouse and park with doors opened during the nicer weather days. As you guys know, cleanliness is something that is of utmost importance to us and in the close to three years we've been opened we have received nothing but A's on our health inspects."
Asked about the DOH closure this afternoon, Ma told us:
"This is such sad news. Due to the video footage, the DOH came with three inspectors today... any hole larger than the tip of a ballpoint pen is considered a violation. We were asked to re-cement the entire basement, which won't allow us work. We should be reopened on Monday.
I don't think people realize the bigger ramifications of their actions and the harm it can bring to a small business. Our staff are heartbroken to have been such a target, but we will of course do our best to rise out strong."
The DoH also cited Dominique Ansel for mice back in October:
Earlier this week, the Department of Health shut down a Dunkin' Donuts after video was captured showing rats running around the pastries—that Dunkin' Donuts also had an A rating.
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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