Comma Coffee on Jan. 25. The coffee shop is temporarily closed following license suspension by health officials.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
Comma Coffee in downtown Carson City has temporary closed its doors following suspension of its license by the Carson City and Douglas County Public Health Regional Partnership.
A sign from health officials on the front door of the coffee shop, visible Wednesday, says the food establishment is closed. Dated Jan. 18, the notice says the business’s permit has been suspended.
According to an inspection report from Jan. 18, “critical” health violations at the coffee shop included storage of raw eggs with bread; mice feces found near the prep sink as well as cat dishes found near utensil storage; and improper storage of deli meat.
Not-critical violations included ready-to-eat food stored longer than the seven days allowed under Nevada Administrative Code. The report also noted business owner June Joplin was not present during the inspection.
“Due to historical non-compliance, no re-inspection request or resolution of violations the facility was given a notice of environmental health permit suspension. Facility must remain closed until all violations have been resolved and re-inspection paid and performed,” says the inspection report, which was signed by Kandis A Harvey, environmental health specialist.
On Wednesday, another sign on the front door of the coffee shop apologized for the inconvenience.
“We will re-open soon and be better than ever,” said the sign, which was attributed to “June and Comma staff.”
According to the company’s website, Comma Coffee opened on Nevada Day of 2000. It is located across the street from the Nevada State Legislature.
In 2009, Joplin asked the State Board of Health for a variance to allow a cat in the shop. The request was ultimately denied. At the time, city health officials pointed to a pattern of noncompliance with code. The coffee shop had been previously cited for having animals inside.