Health Officer Robert Roe revealed that the Maplewood Market is operating without a license after Maplewoodian raised the issue today.
We contacted Roe after visiting the market on Springfield Ave.
The business was opened and operating this morning and the unidentified man behind the counter said he was allowed to be open, despite having an application for a food operations license denied at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting. The TC acts as the Board of Health.
“That is a surprise to me, we have not issued a license, so I am going to have to go pay them a visit," Roe told us. "I know he has tried to correct the violations, but the license has not been issued. If he is operating without a license, he is in violation. This is not good news to me. I’m surprised he was open.”
Roe said that the market had had its operating license suspended back in October, but illegally reopened and sparked a restraining order. After two Superior Court hearings, the business was shutdown.
The market also had erected a sign near the sidewalk without a zoning board approval, prompting it to be ordered down.
Roe said the market could reapply for a license but must wait for a future TC meeting and must make clear it has fixed the violations.
