Nov. 13, 2018 By Meghan Sackman
Starbucks on 37th Avenue was shut down by the Health Department Friday for a variety of reasons—including the presence of live roaches.
The Department of Health posted on its website today why the 78-25 37th Ave. coffee store has been temporarily shut down. The department said the cafe racked up 40 violations points during a Nov. 9 inspection and listed a number of hazards.
The complete list of violations are posted below with the first three being listed as “critical.”
1) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
2) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
3) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
There is no word yet on when the branch will reopen.
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32 Comments
This is an excellent example demonstrating that a so-called “upscale” business does NOT mean a neighborhood is gentrifying.
This Starbucks is always dirty, crowded, and the employees are rude…reflects the majority of the neighborhood outside of the historic district.
Raj there used to be a movie theater on 73rd st. and 37th road and 2 movie theaters on 82nd st. They have all closed. Movie theaters don’t make money like they used to. As for a Starbucks near the train it wouldn’t work there us already a Dunkin Donuts there. The people at a train station dont want to sit down at a coffee shop and stay for 2 hours on their laptops they want cheap fast coffee. Not expensive slow coffee.
Woah! Disappointed with this information. Although I’ve never witnessed spoiled food or insects (it is rather dark in there, the inset probably blended in with the furniture) I didn’t think half of the staff was friendly. Never experienced directly but seen it towards other customers. It was just convenient to have a Starbucks in the heights so close to work for me. Now what ?
Good. I hope they stay closed. I was in here a few months ago and ordered a cup of coffee. Something was wrong with the bottom of the cup and it leaked all over my hands and onto my clothes. Half the cup was empty at this point. So i brought it to the attention of the guy behind the counter who called his supervisor. I politely asked to get a new cup and handed her the old one. It was obvious the cup was damaged and it stained my shirt, my jeans… She proceeded to accuse me that i was scamming her for a free cup of coffee and talked down to me. She rolled her eyes and made a derogatory remark as she turned away which i called her out on. I got my new cup and left.. I used to come here 3-5 times a week. I will never patronize this place again.
OPEN IT OUTSIDE OF THE 73RD STREET – TRAIN STATION! ALONG WITH AN AMC MOVIE THEATER!
how is this not near the main train station at 74th street. thats where it belongs like all the other starbucks, right outside of a major train station hub!!!!!
Went by here yesterday (11/14) , an employee was outside with a tray of free small coffees. I asked if this sample was “clean and safe”, and was told yes. I asked about their recent NY Health Dept failing grade and was told they were closed for “structural” reason, not cleanliness.
Today I checked: http://a816-restaurantinspection.nyc.gov/RestaurantInspection/SearchBrowse.do
[ enter Starbucks and zip-code 11372 for results ]
Inspection dates Nov 9 and Nov 13
“““““““““““““““`
11/09: “CLOSED”
Violations recorded in the following area (s), a Notice of Violation issued and establishment ordered closed by the Department of Health at the initial operational cycle inspection conducted on 11/09/2018.
“Critical” violations are displayed in red.
Violation points: 40
Sanitary Violations
1) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
2) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
3) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
4) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`
11/13: “GRADE PENDING”
Establishment authorized to reopen after inspection conducted on 11/13/2018.
Violation points: 2
Sanitary Violations
1) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
Felt good harassing a worker that has nothing to do with this ? Hope it made you feel like a bigger person that you really aren’t Tony
Lukas, we obviously have different definitions for the word “harass”. Asking a question is not harassment. Perhaps you’re a bit too sensitive. That wasn’t you working at Starbucks that I spoke with, was it Lukas? If so, I am truly sorry if I may have hurt your feelings. oo
Yes it was me Tony, and I’ve come to haunt you know for harassing me. Boo.
Perhaps you’re a bit too desensitized of emotions that assume no one can feel anything for a stranger? If so I’m truly sorry for your lack of empathy.
And to think I almost got transferred to this store!? Dodged that bullet! Oh well, finished my degree and I have a rich boyfriend. Fu sbux!
A rich boyfriend so you dont have to work nice example for the kids.
Awkward because I bet all of you will read this and now that it’s reopened go back in an purchase your 10 dollar coffees. Plus hasn’t this place been open for over 10 years and still looks like a blast from the past? News flash anything old in NYC will be subject to all of that unfortunately. If you don’t like it don’t go. Where did REAL news go?
I wouldn’t care if it stayed closed down.
Management sucks here, no wonder why. Probably one of the worst Starbucks in Queens. Numerous times coming in i have received bad attitudes, bad coffee, moldy bagels and even had a roach crawl on my table. One of the employees was scratching his facial hair with gloves on, then procreeded to continue preparing food/drinks. When speaking to the supervisor/manager it took her forever to talk to me and acted so nonchalant toward the issues. There is a guy barista in there who needs a big reality check.. he thinks he is all that, always gives smart comments that aren’t asked for.
Roachbucks
I was a barista here for almost a year and left March of this year. I have seen it all working here. They used to have a bad mice issue and I have witnessed mice eating sprouted grain bagels and even during opening I seen a mouse in the bagel packet and a shift said it was okay I seen They had flies that would sit on the bar by the teas and iced teas I have been five minutes late and have been written up because I was just released from the hospital a few hours before the people I have had a woman discriminate towards and many time because I was black and management never once helped me after I explained the issue to them. I don’t feel sorry for the closure of the store
Ok Hailee
You know the manager is definitely getting fired, and the dm too if this story doesn’t go away soon lol
Okay Hailee
If they’re not displaying an “A”, I turn away.
UGH
YUCK
PHOOEY
How horrible our new congressional leader is next door!!! shame on u !!
Really ? What does the elected official have to do with this store? Nothing.
It does I would have thought preferential treatment would have been given seeing our newly elected congressional leader would have chased the rat catchers out of there .
We all know roaches, flies and rodents are everywhere.. even in places that are cleaned top to bottom.. but it’s no surprise that this location was busted. There’ve been quite a few times ive dealt with spoiled foods here and sour milk in my coffee. Besides this are other issues.. bad customer service, filthy restrooms, overall unprofessionalism especially from two male employees.. as a customer i would steer clear away. I’ll stick to my 7/11 coffee from now on.
I have a problem with your post. As an almost daily customer of the JH Starbucks, I have never purchase spoiled food, seen a ‘filthy’ restroom or experienced “unprofessionalism” from any employee in the store. Perhaps your experience about “unprofessionalism” says more about YOU than the employees at the store.
If it was not filthy why was it shutdown? Duh.. because it’s dirty!
Expensive food with insects
This location is always jammed with people! Also, I see it jammed from noon until 4pm, doesn’t anyone work anymore?
Pays not to work and collect bennies known fact .
Can’t ever get a seat due to the fact that people move in with their laptops and never leave. This is a problem in every Starbuck’s in NYC.