Magnolia Bakery Temporarily Closes Downtown After Inspectors Find Live Roaches, Fly Infestation

DOWNTOWN — Magnolia Bakery, a popular New York-based chain, temporarily closed its Loop location after failing a health inspection earlier this week.

Inspectors with the Chicago Department of Public Health visited the bakery at 108 N. State St. Monday and found 13 live roaches crawling in cracks and crevices throughout the front and basement preparation areas along with numerous dead roaches in cabinets, near the three-compartment sink and on glue boards.

Inspectors also found about 100 small flies in the first-floor and basement preparation areas, according to the health department’s report.

Other violations detailed blocked or improperly maintained hand-washing sinks, including a slow drain in the staff restroom, and food trays and utensils stored in or on sinks. Inspectors also cited food debris buildup on mixers, coolers, carts, shelving, floors and the exterior of a basement grease trap, as well as dust buildup on ceiling vents.

The bakery confirmed the closure in a statement Wednesday, saying it’s working to address the issues identified by the city.

“We are addressing a corrective plan of action centered around facility repairs and employee retraining. The bakery will reopen only after all identified issues have been fully resolved and the City of Chicago has authorized operations to resume, which we expect to occur shortly,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

The bakery was ordered to hire a pest-control operator, eliminate the roach and fly infestation and seal gaps that could allow insects inside. It must also repair and keep hand-washing sinks accessible, clean food debris and dust, replace crates with proper shelving, store items off the floor and repair chipping paint, according to the health department’s database.

Magnolia Bakery opened its only Chicago outpost in 2011. Its flagship location is in New York City’s West Village neighborhood, where the bakery began in 1996.

The bakery — and its buttercream-frosted cupcakes — catapulted to fame after a cameo in the HBO series, “Sex and the City.” Popular items also include banana pudding and red velvet cupcakes.

In the last year, the Chicago location has failed three of its last five health inspections.

An April 26 inspection cited food and dust buildup, chipping paint, damaged wall surfaces, a gap beneath the street-facing doors and missing or expired employee training. Inspectors also found that the bakery had not corrected earlier violations involving a missing sink splash guard and allergen-awareness training.

A Dec. 15 inspection cited three live roaches, improperly refrigerated banana pudding and a display cooler operating above the required temperature. The bakery discarded 40 pounds of pudding valued at $1,238 and repaired the cooler during the inspection, according to the health department’s database.