Barzini's Strikes Deal With State To Reopen

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Barzini's, the beloved Upper West Side grocery store that was padlocked after state authorities reported severe health violations, struck a deal with the state yesterday to put the store on a path to a legal reopening.

The supermarket agreed to stay closed until inspectors give the green light to reopen and pay $14,400 in penalties, according to court documents released on Thursday morning, first reported by West Side Rag. The penalties will be paid out in $1,600 installments.

The longtime business was ordered to close in mid-January after inspectors found mold, rats, and beetles, but continued business as usual until the state issued a restraining order.

The health inspection was ordered by Upper West Side Councilmember Gale Brewer, she said on X (formerly Twitter).

"They found SEVERE violations and ordered the store closed on Weds 1/15 at 8:52AM. Barzini's is still open in violation of the order. I am trying to padlock ASAP," Brewer said at the time.

As part of the deal reached on Thursday, the staff at Barzini's will attend a mandatory food safety course, and if Barzini's fails two inspections in two years, the supermarket will lose its license and be forced into a corrective action plan overseen by the state.

As of Friday, there is no exact timeline yet when Barzini's will reopen.

Barzini's owners did not yet respond to a request for comment, but this article will be updated if they do.

Barzini's is located at 2451 Broadway, New York, NY 10024.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.