New York City Health Department officials have temporarily shut down Dominique Ansel Bakery, after a video posted online showed a mouse inside the kitchen.
Dominique Ansel, most well-known for its hybrid pastry the Cronut, was shut down on Friday afternoon.
"The establishment was closed by the Department because of a severe mouse infestation that requires professional pest control services," a Health Department spokesperson told TODAY.com.
Officials said they first learned of the situation at the bakery when a video titled "Dominique Ansel's Pet Mouse" was posted on YouTube.
In the footage, a small mouse can be seen running around the hardwood floor of the eatery, close to racks of baked goods.
"At the home of the Cronut," the description reads. "So cute!!"
A representative from the bakery told TODAY.com that the Health Department came to call one day after the video was put online.
"Not one, but four inspectors," showed up to the popular bakery, Amy Ma said, adding that they "weren't given half a chance," before they were ordered to temporarily close up shop.
"Just FYI, and hole larger than the tip of a ballpoint pen is considered a possible place for 'mouse infestation,'" she stated.
The bakery released a statement soon after the closure.
"As a small, one-shop bakery, we often feel like we're being looked at under a tremendous microscope," the release read. "A lot of times, people don't see the larger ramifications of their actions and how a tiny video of a mouse running across the screen for three seconds can cause harm and damages to an honest, small business that people's livelihood depends on. When things get sensationalized like this, it is hardly fair. We, of course, believe that we can run a clean and good operation, but see that we were targeted and will rise to the occasion to be even better."
One of Dominique Ansel's bakers said the shop would hopefully reopen on Monday.
"He's saddened for our customers who had plans this weekend that we weren't able to welcome them," the statement continued, in reference to the chef. "Our team will be here in person to speak to customers live."
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