Business & Tech

Local Dunkin' Donuts Shop Closed For Health Violations

The popular coffee shop was shut down after owners began illegal construction around exposed food.

The shop on the corner of Raritan Road and Walnut Avenue has been shut down indefinitely due to health violations, local officials confirmed Thursday afternoon.

According to Monika Koscova-Jencik, Cranford's health inspector and a registered environmental health specialist, Dunkin' Donuts was closed earlier this week after health officials learned that the shop had begun renovating the building without obtaining the proper permits. In addition, work was being done near exposed food.

"They were doing construction before advising us and without filing for any permits, and all of the food was exposed so they had to be closed down immediately," Koscova-Jencik said.

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In addition, all of the food had to be discarded since it was exposed to the construction work. The health inspector said the Health Department does not know exactly when the shop will reopen.

"It will be closed for a while," Koscova-Jencik said, adding that Dunkin' Donuts has to get the proper permits before they can resume construction.

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In addition to getting approval from the Building Department, the store may also need to get electrical and plumbing permits. Inspectors will also have to check the building to make sure there are no violations. Koscova-Jencik said the owners of the store will also be receiving summonses for beginning a construction project without first getting permits.

On Thursday afternoon, caution tape strung between chairs blocked both entrances to the parking lot and a sign that read "Sorry, We're Closed" was taped to one of the chairs. On the front door of the establishment, a bright pink notice from the Health Department Sanitary Inspection Report Notice that read "Unsatisfactory." A partially filled Dumpster was set up adjacent to the building. no other signs of construction were visible outside the building.

No illnesses were reported as a result of the exposed food. Calls to the Dunkin' Donuts  - which is located near the border of Clark and Cranford - went unanswered Thursday.

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