Second Bridgeport Deli Shut Down By City For Code Violations

BRIDGEPORT, CT — City officials have shut down a second deli for numerous health code violations. News 12 reported that Rosalie's Mini Market, popularly known as The Snack Shop, at Revere Street and Newfield Avenue was closed due to a long list of violations and being a public safety hazard.

The Snack Shop's violations include keeping expired food on the shelves, insects being in the cooler, dirty floors, and holes in the grocery store walls.

City officials also ordered the closure of Sunshine Deli in July for being a "magnate for violent crime" and numerous health code violations. The murder of DaeDae Gray, 32, occurred near the business.

The Snack Shop has seen crime as well. In January 2018, 21-year-old Jawuan Green was shot after leaving the store, where he had stopped to pick up a cigar.

Snack Shop owner Damien Smith said the city's unfairly placing blame on his business, according to The Connecticut Post.

"Stop placing blame and do ya job the protection failed the city of Bridgeport not the (business) owners," Smith said, adding that business owners are focused on trying to make money and feed their families.

Mayor Joe Ganim said in a statement that businesses must meet health codes or face being shut down. The Department of Public Health issued an Order to Close following discovery of the violations.

"More than twenty health, building and safety code violations were uncovered at the Snack Shop and were very similar to those detected in the Sunshine Deli which was issued an 'Order to Close' on July 31st, 2019," according to the statement.

The property where The Snack Shop lies has been acquired by the city as part of a revitalization plan. The City Council approved and authorized the property acquisition per the East End NRZ Strategic Plan of Action this past Monday.

Following the property acquisition, an environmental survey will be executed for demolition to immediately be scheduled, according to a statement from Ganim.