Chicagoist: Bleeding Heart Bakery Does Damage Control

Kaonashi

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:57:50 -0600

Considering how I can think of a couple of nearby businesses that would have been thrilled to tears if BHB was closed for V-Day, I think you're right on the money. The timing of this is interesting, to say the least. :S

Kaonashi

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:54:41 -0600

At the same time, simply saying "I had to leave for an hour" would had opened them up to even more criticism. Considering that the rumour mill was already up and running, she probably wanted to clarify some things as much as possible. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. I've been there numerous times and the only problems I've had was with some of the self-entitled "princesses" that go there (which isn't exactly something they can control, lol) and that they lean towards the pricey side. The staff is always nice and the place is clean. I'm glad they were able to sort things out and were able to serve their customers on V-Day.

L. Stolpman

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:22:44 -0600

I have to agree; I also find the mention of the surgery unprofessional. An explanation is always useful and I fully understand her mention of having a doctor's appointment because it shows that her being out of the bakery wasn't because she was sleeping in - but mentioning the surgery just made me sigh want to stop reading. I wanted to know the reasons the closure was not indicative of cleanliness of her place. I don't need excuses.

Albanyparkour

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:59:18 -0600

I agree (Gah! Weird) listing your laundry list of personal tragedies as reason for your failed inspection is just weird. If they are being targeted, and I would not doubt that at all having been on the receiving end of an "inspection" by the city this does nothing for their case. Personally, I've been there twice and both times the food I had was simply inedible, bland and over-priced. The staff were sniffy and wandered away mid-order to chat with friends. Sadly, it's the only place a vegan friend of mine will go.

Ingrid

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:16:00 -0600

I still am not getting what was so bad about their situation? How in the heck can they get fined for garbage when that was the day the garbage was going to get picked up? Everyone always has a full bin on garbage pick up day. (there was a scene in the movie Beauty Shop where the same thing happened to Queen Latifah...so I guess that's a common thing that happens). I used to wait tables. Once, I was taking an order from a couple when I noticed two cockroaches skitter up the wall where they were sitting. I did my best to keep their attention on me. When I told the manager he scolded me by saying that there are no restaurants anywhere that are completely rodent and insect free. After working there, I can't even believe I eat in restaurants anymore because it was an upscale place, not some dive.

jimbo

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:09:45 -0600

Well maybe they'll take the sanitation issues more seriously next time, i.e. not waiting until after the health department arrives to correct them

Stephen

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:32:23 -0600

I agree, bringing up the surgery was not necessary, and was unprofessional. I realize they are a small independent business and have a small staff, and I certainly can sympathize that work/life balance is difficult in that situation... but this IS a business and arrangements need to be made to ensure you're in compliance at all times, no excuses. If she was only to be gone for an hour, and she really was the only staff member on site with a sanitation license (or any other required licenses), they should have been closed during the time she was gone. What's confusing to me is why the other staff didn't speak up and state they apparently had this license too, instead of allowing the business to get cited/closed for it?

Stephen

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:24:00 -0600

I agree, bringing up the surgery was not necessary, and was unprofessional. I realize they are a small independent business and have a small staff, but arrangements need to be made to ensure you're in compliance at all times. If she was only to be gone for an hour, and she was the only staff member on site with a sanitation license, they should have been closed during the time she was gone. What's confusing to me is why the other staff didn't speak up and state they apparently had this license too, instead of allowing the business to get cited/closed for it?

Stephen

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:18:28 -0600

Based on Garcia's statement above, their inspection was between 8 and 9, and the clogged sinks were "solved before 11am". I am guessing that they were aware the sinks were clogged, but didn't have time to unclog the sinks (or even buy Drano) before the Health Department arrived. I hope the Health Department wasn't the first to notice the clogs!

chibill

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:15:10 -0600

Talking about a recent surgery is unprofessional?? Right,telling the truth is unprofessional. Give me a break. "I hope her business suffers" - Come on if you have a grudge with them take it up with them. I am sure they will be opening soon. I hope.

jimbo

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:30:02 -0600

I'm not following why the drains were covered, drano was purchased, drains were cleared, and they got ticketed for it.

jennyblur

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:20:28 -0600

I think bringing up a recent surgery is unprofessional and an unnecessary appeal to sympathy no matter how you cut it. If she is being targeted, it is probably because she did something wrong. I hope her business suffers. Why not just apologize to the "loyal customers who supported her bakery all these years" promise to have "amazing valentine's day treats" and offer some sort of cheeky promotion like "mud pies"? Seriously. This was handled completely bananas.

ejshea

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:14:11 -0600

I don't want to sound toooo conspiracy theorist, but it IS a huge week for treats and chocolates and whatnot, and BHB does a mighty fine job of putting together its Valentine's menu. A few of the comments I read re: what happened, at least the reactions, seemed AWFULLY mean-spirited and vicious so I can see how she might feel like she was being targeted.

ajs

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:13:44 -0600

I don't know about the bakery's ward, but in the 46th, that sort of thing is all too common.

jennyblur

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:05:26 -0600

Yeah, but that interminable statement makes it seem as if they feel someone is targeting them specifically. Weird.

DNashty

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:38:46 -0600

Y'know, when I read about this yesterday I thought "clogged sink? no manager? a little unemptied trash? That's all?" I mean - compared to other Health Department closures, which usually involve rats, roaches and other really vile things, don't those charges sound kinda petty? It just makes me think the citation was really for "Failure To Cross The Palm of the Inspector With Silver."