Sewage Issues At Brooklyn Bagelry Spur Temporary Closure By City

BROOKLYN, NY — A bagel shop that's been in Brooklyn for over a decade was temporarily shuttered this week after inspectors discovered that the bagelry was overrun with pests and sewage issues.

In addition to evidence of mice and a dysfunctional "sewage disposal system," Smith Street Bagels, located on the corner of Smith and Baltic streets in Boerum Hill, wasn't following certain food safety protocols, the Department of Health learned during a Feb. 22 inspection.

The restaurant's food-prep surfaces weren't being properly washed and were among a couple of areas in the shop (including food storage areas and food itself) contaminated by "sewage or liquid waste," records show.

Sinks for hand washing and soap were missing near food prep areas and bathrooms according to the health department.

These "critical" violations prompted the bagel shop's immediate closure, a move that the health department makes at least several times per-week with eateries that can't fix "public health hazards" (mice and sewage issues in the case of Smith Street Bagels) at the time of inspection.

Restaurants that resolve violations are permitted to reopen.

Representatives from Smith Street Bagels couldn't be immediately reached for comment about the closure.

This isn't the first time the bagel shop at 202 Smith Street has come under fire for health and safety issues.

In January, health department inspectors found some similar issues at the shop (evidence of mice and food safety problems), records show.

At the time, however, Smith Street Bagels was able to immediately resolve the issues by throwing out unsafe food and wiping down counters, which enabled the shop to stay open with some citations.