ASHLAND – The Ashland Board of Health unanimously vote to shut down a restaurant indefinitely after an inspector found poor sanitizing conditions and 2 broken refrigerators.

King Bibi’s at 119 Pond Street was ordered closed the night of August 4, and is still closed as of today, August 13.

On July 28, Ashland Police Sgt Ed Burman visited with King Bibi’s and spent 45 minutes going over COVID-19 restaurant COVID-19 guidelines to operate.

On July 29, the Town of Ashland performed a full sanitary inspection.

Ashland food inspector Thomas Curran said there was no one on site at King Bibi’s who was food certified and staff on site told him that the manager is “rarely” in Ashland and mostly at the location in Malden.

Curran found 2 broken refrigerators at King Bibi’s.

“They didn’t have enough refrigeration to support the menu, they were selling to the public,” explained Curran to the Ashland Board of Health on August 4.

Curran said the food in the refrigerator was “well over 70 degrees.” Food should be at below 41 degrees.

He added in the one refrigerator working, many of the foods were not date marked or labeled.

Curran said he observed “poor washing practices,’” and poor “sanitizing practices.”

“I sat with this company for 45 minutes. Tom shows up next day and they did not do any of it, (Covid regulation), said a frustrated Sgt. Burman to the Board of Health.

“This is not how we operate in the Town of Ashland. We want to hold them (food establishments) to the highest standard. They can not operate in Ashland with blanatant disregard,” he said.

Curran said he went back 72 hours after his inspection and the two refrigerators were still broken, and King Bibi’s was still serving food to the public.

“I’m actually speechless,” said Board of Health Chair Diane Mortensen. “Your establishment should be cleaner than it has been due to COVID. It is not too often that I am speechless.”

The owner appeared on the remote Board of Health meeting call, but only spoke Portuguese. His son translated for him. They were at the Malden restaurant during the call.

No one in Ashland has the proper certification to even open a restaurant, let alone run an establishment in the town, said the Board of Health.

Board of Health member Chris Daniels made a motion to close the establishment immediately.

Board of Health member Judi Teller said King Bibi’s could not re-open until they have a certified food manager and all refrigeration is working properly, and that the establishment passes a re-inspection by Curran.

The Ashland Board of Health voted unanimously for the emergency closure that night.

Sgt. Burman said he would swing by to make sure the place was closed on August 4.

SOURCE requested copies of the inspection reports and photos. As of 6:30 p.m. today, August 13 they have yet to arrive from the Town of Ashland.

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Photo from King Bib’s Facebook