Earlier today a reader sent us this photo in an e-mail wondering why popular Windsor Terrace bagel cafe, Terrace Bagel, had its security gates rolled down as of 10 a.m. We got on the horn with the folks at Terrace, and an employee who picked up divulged that the eatery had "big problems" and would be closed "for a while."
When pressed for an explanation, he handed the phone off to a manager, who said there was some construction upstairs causing problems with the plumbing. No biggie; they'd reopen in two or three days, he assured us. The Health Department, on the other hand, has a different story. Per a spokesperson:
Terrace Bagels was closed on Monday, February 2 following a routine annual inspection that found a vermin infestation. An estimated 40 rat droppings and approximately 170 mice droppings were found in five different areas of the establishment, including food storage areas in the basement and kitchen.
The establishment was also cited for rodent harborage conditions and holes enabling rodent access, and dairy items kept at unsafe temperatures. In order to reopen, Terrace Bagels must correct all conditions that led to violations, submit an affidavit of correction to the Health Department and schedule a re-opening inspection.
Given the results of their last known inspection, which turned up "conditions conducive to vermin," this isn't too surprising. A tough break for the neighborhood standby, but we're guessing they've still got enough of a loyal clientele to bounce back—once they clear out the Secrets of Nimh colony they've got going on in there.
