A trendy café in Brooklyn, Little Zelda, was shut down recently due to numerous health violations, although it still seems to be operating.
According to the Health Department, Little Zelda, located in Crown Heights, has faced 27 violations during inspections in February. These included signs of rodents and an unauthorized operation citation.
Despite the closure notice, the café reportedly replaced it five times and continued to serve customers without permission.
The establishment was also penalized for failing to properly clean food contact surfaces and manage pest issues, among other things.
Additionally, they were cited for not displaying their “pending grades” sign outside.
During a recent visit, the small café with tiled flooring, which serves coffee, cookies, and pastries, was still welcoming customers.
Longtime residents noted that about two months ago, Little Zelda had swapped out the closure notice for a handwritten sign claiming it was temporarily closed for “spring cleaning.”
“I usually grab my coffee there every morning, so it was quite a shock to see it closed one day, especially for health reasons,” said a local resident named Peter. “The sign just said they were taking a break for some tidying up—very cute but definitely not addressing the actual issues,” he added.
Nearby businesses mentioned that the café still brings in regulars, often with lines out the door.
“Whenever it’s open, there are always people waiting. I can’t tell if they’re unaware of the health problems, just stubborn, or perhaps they don’t really care,” Peter remarked. “In other cafés, you can hear baristas talking about how people are coming over from Little Zelda because it’s their go-to spot.”
Previous inspections in September 2023 revealed that the café had accumulated 41 violations, including unsafe food handling practices and contamination issues.
Also noted by officials was the lack of a handwashing facility within the required distance of food preparation areas.
Michael De Zayas, the owner and founder of Little Zelda since 2011, has been tied to several other Brooklyn businesses, such as wine bars and coffee shops.
Attempts to get comments from De Zayas were unsuccessful, and a spokesperson for the café declined to comment as well.
