INWOOD — Carrot Top Pastries reopened Saturday afternoon, a little over a week after being shut down by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
On Sunday, a "grade pending" sign was visible on Carrot Top's window at 5025 Broadway — in place of the post saying the DOH had shut down the shop.
Carrot Top was shut down by the Health Department on March 14 after the inspectors found more than 100 violation points. Since then, store owner Renee Mancino said that she spent more than $3,000 working to reopen the store.
Mancino, who initially was not sure when the store would reopen, said that members of the Mayor's Office for Small Business Services and City Councilman Robert Jackson's office reached out to her guide her through the process of repairing and reopening the store.
Changes include the installation of a new hand-washing sink and metal plates at the base of the store's back door to keep vermin out. Mancino also said that she switched plumbers and brought an exterminator in six times.
"I haven't been home in a week," said Mancino, 64. "We each scrubbed the store. I got down on my hands and knees and I scrubbed."
Carrot Top picked up only 10 violation points after Saturday's inspection. Mancino said that she is still due to face a fine from the Department.
Mancino said that despite the ordeal, she was amazed by the support she received from the community, and said that many customers had stopped her during the week to wish her well.
"My customer base really stayed there for me," Mancino said. "I will be forever indebted to them."
