ORLANDO, FLORIDA — In early June, three Florida businesses were ordered to close temporarily due to health concerns, with violations ranging from rodent droppings to pest infestations.
The closures were part of the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure public health and safety within the food industry.
China Master Temporarily Shuts Down
On June 16, China Master, located at 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd in Daytona Beach, was shut down by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The restaurant was found to be operating with an expired license, and the inspection revealed significant health concerns, including live cockroaches and rodent droppings in the establishment.
However, it only took one day for China Master to meet the necessary inspection standards, and the restaurant was able to reopen promptly.
The Tremont Faces Temporary Closure
The second business affected by the closures was The Tremont, located at 7015 Red Bug Lake Road. On June 17, inspectors found dozens of live, small flying insects at the restaurant.
Despite this, The Tremont was able to address the issue within a day, making the necessary corrections to comply with health and safety regulations. After meeting the required standards, the business was permitted to resume operations.
College Park Diner Shuts Down Permanently
The most serious of the closures involved College Park Diner, located at 2304 Edgewater Drive in Orlando. During an inspection on June 17, the diner was found to have 50 dead cockroaches and over a dozen live ones on the premises.
The restaurant owner, in a statement, explained that the pest issue was part of a proactive treatment plan. “Tuesday morning, we conducted a full wall flush treatment through our pest control provider as part of a proactive pest control plan we implemented due to a recent isolated issue,” the owner said. “The treatment occurred prior to opening and, as expected with a building that’s over 70 years old, it stirred up activity behind the walls.”
Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the Department of Health inspector arrived during the cleanup process and issued the closure order.
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The owner was given the option to clean and reopen, but after careful consideration, they made the decision to close the diner permanently. The diner now has a sign on the door that reads: “Out of Business! Toodles.”
Reopenings and Ongoing Efforts
While College Park Diner has closed its doors for good, both China Master and The Tremont were able to reopen after addressing their respective violations.
The temporary closures serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper health standards in restaurants to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons.
What Do You Think?
How do you feel about the actions taken by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to close down businesses over health violations?
Do you think more restaurants should be held accountable for such issues? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
