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Read the press release here.

Jackson Heights Food Court Reopens After Health Dept. Shutdown

By Katie Honan | November 13, 2014 3:35pm
 The market and buffet reopened on Nov. 10 after being shuttered in October by the state and city.
The market and buffet reopened on Nov. 10 after being shuttered in October by the state and city.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

JACKSON HEIGHTS — The Jackson Heights Food Court reopened this week after being shuttered by the city and state for operating without a permit and for having mice and other vermin inside, according to officials.

Since it sold food along with grocery items, the market, at 73-07 37th Rd. was inspected by the state's Department of Agriculture and Markets after opening in a former movie theater in 2012, an owner, Razib Haq, said last month.

But a spokesman for that agency said they visited on Sept. 15 and found it was operating without a permit. They also determined it would be under the city's Health Department moving forward.

If prepared food is 50 percent of a store's revenue, then it requires a permit from the DOH according to the city.

Less than 50 percent requires a permit from the state.

A spokesman from Agriculture and Markets confirmed the Jackson Heights Food Court would now be inspected by the DOH.

A spokesman for the DOH said the Jackson Heights Food Court was now permitted by the Health Department and was authorized to reopen on Nov. 5th. They are currently awaiting a full inspection, the spokesman said.

The market's grand opening was held Nov. 10, and a sign posted outside said it's under new management. The layout remains the same, with grocery items in the back and a hot buffet in the front.

A wall inside was covered in old photos of Jackson Heights, an homage to the neighborhood's history. There are also new menu items, including French fries, onion rings and a fish sandwich.

Haq could not be reached for comment.