INWOOD — A popular sports bar was recently closed by the Department of Health for operating without a permit to serve food, despite receiving warnings from the agency.
Rebounds NYC, at 5025 Broadway, first opened July 2014 and quickly became a local favorite for its burgers and sports selection.
The establishment was temporarily closed on June 30, when inspectors came and found it had not renewed its food-service permit, which had expired on May 31, the agency said.
During a subsequent visit by the Health Department on Oct. 14, inspectors found that Rebounds NYC still hadn't renewed the permit and shuttered the space. The permit is a requirement for all businesses serving food, including restaurants, food trucks and catering halls.
It was also hit with several sanitary violations during the October inspection, including food not being “protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.”
The bar's management couldn’t be reached for comment.
An inspection report seen taped to the bar's window included a penciled-in passage calling the department's process "ridiculous."
“Food permit must be renewed, but all outstanding fines must be paid," the note read. "Now that’s where NYC abuses small businesses. The fines are ridiculous... Let’s hope for the best.”
