Tuesday, July 19, 2011

At the Mars Bar yesterday, the DOH found 850 fruit flies (or so)

[Photo by Shawn Chittle]

When the chatter started yesterday afternoon about the Mars Bar, there was confusion whether the DOH shut the place down... or owner Hank Penza basically just said Fuck it and closed.

As Runnin' Scared noted, it was a combo. The DOH paid a visit, and shut the place down. Instead of cleaning up and reopening just to close again... "I closed up," he told Esther Zuckerman. "I don't want to be bothered."

And Runnin' Scared got a quote from a DOH spokesperson last evening. And it's a doozy!

The Mars Bar was closed because inspectors observed approximately 850 fruit flies in various areas of the restaurant and in a bottle of alcohol. Additionally, there were conditions conducive to a pest infestation ... The bar did not have a food protection certificate holder present, had a cracked and chipped wall, unsecured gas cylinders and did not have proper test kits for chemical sanitizing of dishware.

So, a question: Why is the DOH inspecting bars that are closing shortly?

Finally, one of the many rumors we've heard of late: Hank had promised two regulars that he'd sell them the bathroom doors for $1,000 each.
at

6 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    They have a schedule and they don't even keep track of what's closing. The inspector just goes when the bar comes up on the list. It's sad but a fitting end for Mars Bar. I loved the place but I always got bottled beer there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KurtJuly 19, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I will bet this weeks paycheck that the fruit flies were found in a bottle of rum. It's always the rum. I have a friend that jokes that the flies are placed there by the distiller.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laura Goggin PhotographyJuly 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    They don't even serve food and the place has been like that forever. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  4. glammaJuly 19, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    as long as marty gets that toilet seat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marty WombacherJuly 19, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    @glamma: Ha ha ha! Thanks! I may not get the toilet seat, but at least I've got some great memories of the place. And probably still some germs on me from sitting on that thing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    I used to work there, and every so often, if it was slow and I was drunk enough, I'd clean the slime mold from the sink. I won't even mention the slime mold in the ice machine (since replaced--the ice machine, not sure about the mold). Someone out there will remember the "dead rat in the bathroom" story....

    ReplyDelete

Your remarks and lively debates are welcome, whether supportive or critical of the views herein. Your articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to an article are welcome.

However, commentary that is intended to "flame" or attack, that contains violence, racist comments and potential libel will not be published. Facts are helpful.

If you'd like to make personal attacks and libelous claims against people and businesses, then you may do so on your own social media accounts. Also, comments predicting when a new business will close ("I give it six weeks") will not be approved.