Popular Pasadena Ice Cream Parlor Closed by Health Inspectors

A popular ice cream parlor was closed Tuesday after it was inspected by Pasadena’s Department of Public Health and found to have “heave cockroach infestation throughout the facility,” according to online records.

Cold Stone Creamery, located at 300 East Colorado Boulevard, was inspected on August 30 and subsequently shut down due to earning an inspection score of 62, nearly 30 points lower than what it received after its last two annual inspections, city records show.

Food servers in Pasadena must retain an inspection score of 84 or above to remain open, according to the Department of Public Health, whose records show the store had one major violation, one minor violation and a host of bad retail practices.

Not only were three live cockroaches spotted in the store, but about 20 to40 dead ones were found throughout the facility, according to the city’s record online. The inspector noted that that facility wasn’t vermin-proof, meaning it hadn’t been kept free of litter and the entrances and cracks weren’t sealed properly to prevent pests from getting in.

The parlor’s entry double door was found with about a 1-2 inch gap between the doors and approximately 1-inch gaps under doors, according to the report.

Due to these failures, the inspector decided it would be best to immediately close the store for the public’s safety.

“Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 114409, your health permit is hereby suspended due to an imminent health hazard,” read the inspection report. “You must close and remain closed until given written approval by the Environmental Health Division to reopen.

The store also failed to display a valid food manager’s certificate on site, had excessive grime buildup and food debris all over the floors, shelves, walls and food utensils and stored food boxes on the floor of their refrigerator, according to the report.

In last year’s inspection, Cold Stone Creamery got an inspection score of 89, while in 2014, the parlor earned a score of 93.