The five St. John eateries shut over the weekend by order of the Health Department got permission to reopen on Monday. Customers of Joe's Diner, Woody's Seafood Saloon and the Front Yard Bar appeared at the doors moments after Environmental Health Division inspector Ethelyn Joseph, who reinspected the premises in the company of two enforcement agents, gave the okay.
Tropicale Deli and the Rolling Pin Bakery also received approval. "We Will be Opened Tuesday, 6:30 a.m." read a hand-written sign taped to the Rolling Pin door.
A counter clerk at Joe's said the health authorities arrived there around 2:30 p.m. Monday. Soon after they left, customers at the patio tables hunkered down over plates of chicken and french fries.
Over at Woody's, the kitchen tiles sparkled, and operator Todd Mann demonstrated the output of the hot water tap. "If you find three inches of grease on the floor, let me know," he quipped. Mann, the sole individual facing related police action in connection with the closings, was formally charged Monday morning in Territorial Court with assaulting an officer and obstructing an officer in the line of duty. (For details, see preceding story, "Woody's owner charged with assaulting cop.")
Joseph said she was pleased with the quick compliance of all of the businesses. "They were more than happy to see us today," she said of the establishments. "I found the restaurants to be very, very clean. I was overly surprised, really — especially the Front Yard. I thought that area would not be cleaned up, and it is immaculate. I told all of them I am very proud of them. They should work with us, and we will work with them."
Inspectors found various sanitation and licensing violations at the establishments on Friday. Joe's Diner was closed because its workers could not present valid food handler cards on demand.
The one outstanding violation at the Front Yard was temporarily addressed by hanging a curtain around a toilet near the food preparation area, Joseph said. She said the manager assured her that a wall would be put up to enclose the commode permanently.
Joseph said Friday's inspections were not an isolated instance, or selective law enforcement, as some have suggested. She promised that more spot checks are to come — on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.