By Kareem Johnson
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE – Shuttered West Village pastry shop Rocco's racked up a slew of violations during its last inspection, including vermin infestation and what the health department says are "extensive unsanitary conditions," officials said.
The famed Bleecker street eatery, which has been closed for nearly two weeks, was slapped with a whopping 69 violation points when inspectors passed through on April 30, according to Health Department records.
"The establishment remains closed, and must correct all the violations and meet with the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation supervisory staff to discuss the steps necessary in order to arrange for a reopening inspection," said department spokeswoman Zoe Tobin.
More than 28 points on an inspection can earn a restaurant grade of C, the lowest given by the Health Department.
Critical violations included hot food items not being held at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cold items that were being stored above 41 degrees, the records show.
The inspection also mentions evidence of mice, or the potential of mice in food and non-food areas, as well as other less serious violations.
Inspectors closed the shop, near Leroy street, that day.
In the time since, the staff has hung a sign in the window saying that the shop will reopen "very soon."
"We are as disappointed as you all are," it reads.
The closure has been a let-down to many in the neighborhood.
"I always came here to get the cookies and the pastries," said Joe Ghantey. "The mice thing is a little unnerving, but then again, we’re in New York."
Fiore Derosa, a customer for 30 years, said the shop may have gotten a bad rap.
"You never know what it is," he said. "Maybe they didn’t like where a drain was, or they wanted them to put a slop sink in. Who knows what it was, but I’ve been going there for years, and these are great people."
But Ana Avagyan, a nurse, said: "Maintenance of health issues is number one. As a nurse, I would say people have to be responsible for the communities they serve."
A call to Rocco's went unanswered.
