Comma Coffee shut by Health Department, reports ‘severe’ mice infestation, expired food, cats living inside, and more

According to the Carson City Health Inspector’s reports, Comma Coffee was cited multiple times over the past year for critical health code violations, including storing raw food incorrectly and the presence of a severe mice infestation.

The Health Department shut down Comma Coffee at 312 South Carson Street, entirely after their Jan. 18 inspection when the restaurant failed to fix multiple critical violations despite numerous warnings.

After Comma Coffee was served with a ‘B’ rating in December, which by law is required to be posted on the door so consumers can see it, the signage was removed — twice — a misdemeanor charge, according to the report. The first removal of the sign came on Dec. 19, only five days after the 'B' grade was posted, and again on Dec. 23 after the Health Department informed Comma Coffee that the removal of the sign was a misdemeanor charge on the 19th.

Now, Comma Coffee has been closed by the Health Department due to their repeated violations and faces fees and a court appearance with city officials due to their removal of their rating sign.

According to the report obtained by Carson Now, Comma Coffee was repeatedly cited for offenses such as the presence of mice and mice feces, storing raw eggs and meat incorrectly, failure to provide warnings for consumers, cats living on the premises, and more.

You can read a summary of some of the violations below:

Violations include:

• Presence of mice and mice feces near prep station, under the sink, under food shelving and near chemicals
• It was reported that the pest infestation is a repeat issue and has become “severe”
• Storing raw eggs incorrectly
• Eggs, meat and bread were being stored on the floor
• Floors, walls and ceilings were reportedly “dirty”
• Storing food for sale in a refrigeration display case that was above the proper temperature
• Holes were located throughout the facility allowing for pests to enter
• Employees did not wash hands or switch gloves as required
• The bleach sink did not contain any bleach in the water used to sanitize dishes
• Multiple food items were not date marked
• Multiple ready-to-eat food items for sale were date marked but expired — by up to two weeks in some cases
• The storage and kitchen areas were “littered” with personal items which prohibited proper cleaning
• No food safety training for employees
• No consumer advisory was posted advising the dangers of consuming rare, raw or undercooked animal foods
• Multiple cats were observed within the facility, and a cat door had been installed allowing cats free entrance and exit of the facility
• Cat food and water feeders and a cat bed were located in the storage area near utensils, even after Health Officials told staff to remove all cats from facility and seal cat door
• Cooling logs have not been updated since September, ensuring temperature control
• No testing strips were available on site to determine sanitizer concentrations
• Household equipment not suitable for restaurants was being used in the prep area
• Cutting boards and blocks were excessively cracked, cut or chipped, allowing for the presence of bacteria
• An alcohol birth defect warning was not posted
• No employee sick policy was posted or determined

In June 2022, Comma Coffee was cited again for the presence of vermin, failure to properly mark dates on food, failure to store food, including meat, at proper temperatures, failure to maintain plumbing in restrooms and provide ‘adequate’ toilet facilities, failure to remove clutter and personal items from storage and kitchen area, and more.

“Due to historical non-compliance, no re-inspection request or resolution of violations the facility was given a notice of environmental health permit suspension” the Health Inspector wrote on Jan. 18. “Facility must remain closed until all violations have been resolved and re-inspection paid and performed.”

In addition, the “B” letter grade was posted on the front window again and employees were told it could not be removed.

The owner, June Joplin, was not onsite during many of the inspections and follow-up inspections, according to the report.

As of the Jan. 18 report, Joplin had not made contact with the Health Department in regards to the multiple violations.

Carson Now attempted to make contact with Joplin but was unsuccessful.

A sign on the door of Comma Coffee states:

"We will re-open soon and better than ever!!!!!
Thank you for your understanding and patience
- June and Comma Staff "