SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A La Jolla hardware store is being forced to remove their popcorn machine they say was used to give the buttery treat to customers for free over the last 25 years.
According to a food inspection report, the Meanley and Son Hardware on the 7700 block of Girard was investigated for serving popcorn without a permit.
"Everybody has had fun with this until now, but we have to obey the law," said co-owner Bob Meanley.
One of the store's owners says the inspection happened after someone complained.
A customer reportedly saw another person reach into the popcorn machine barehanded.
"I’m sorry we can’t continue with the popcorn, but we’ll do it with everything else," added Meanley.
In the report, the inspector said the small Gold Medal brand popcorn maker was seen in use and with “popped popcorn prepared.”
The report forces the hardware store to stop making popcorn and to remove the popcorn machine from the building.
If the shop wants to give away popcorn, according to the health department, they’ll have to go through the permitting process. A process which will also legally require that the store install three compartment sinks.
The store says staff regularly cleaned the machine and refilled it with popcorn throughout the day for customers to enjoy.
The hardware shop has an extensive history in La Jolla. The store was opened in 1948 when the niece of Ellen B. Scripps along with her husband and son established the business.
Poster Comment:
...serving (free) popcorn without a permit.
#1: Stoner To: Deckard (#0)
Stoner posted on 2018-05-22 10:03:33 Reply Private Reply
#2: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
...serving (free) popcorn touched and handled by strangers.
Some people objected. Given that this happened in California, God knows what was on their hands.
misterwhite posted on 2018-05-22 10:04:36 Reply Private Reply
#3: Fred Mertz To: Stoner (#1)
Ours does here too.
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-05-22 10:19:42 Reply Private Reply
#4: Deckard To: misterwhite (#2)
No one was forcing the Gladys Kravitzes to eat it.
Deckard posted on 2018-05-22 10:35:24 Reply Private Reply
#5: Deckard To: Fred Mertz, Stoner (#3)
Some of the bars here serve free popcorn - why anyone would object is beyond me.
And extorting a business to apply for a permit for FREE popcorn is completely insane.
Deckard posted on 2018-05-22 10:37:25 Reply Private Reply
#6: Hank Rearden To: Deckard (#0)
In fact, when I moved there 25 years ago, the hardware had fresh-popped popcorn, but the 90-year-old movie theater (formerly burlesque) didn't - the cheap owner bought those giant prepopped bags. So we went to the hardware store for the good popcorn.
About 10 years ago, the theater finally caved in and started popping their own; they got tired of smuggling and no sales of popcorn.
Hank Rearden posted on 2018-05-22 10:57:41 Reply Private Reply
#7: Hank Rearden To: misterwhite (#2)
So YOUR "solution", of course, wasn't to put up signage and keep customers out of the machine (like our hardware store) - you'd call in the stormtroopers to obliterate it as well.
Screw you. Humans have survived a long time without totalitarian control freaks like you. Government parasites exist only because we did so.
Hank Rearden posted on 2018-05-22 11:00:04 Reply Private Reply
#8: misterwhite To: Deckard (#4)
Forcing? No. But they weren't being honest, were they?
I would settle for a warning sign attached to the popcorn machine stating that other customers have been touching and handling the food barehanded and that diseases may be present.
That's the Libertarian way, right? Now, Gladys Kravitz can make a fully informed decision.
misterwhite posted on 2018-05-22 11:01:11 Reply Private Reply
#9: misterwhite To: Hank Rearden (#7)
How about that? I posted before I read yours and my solution was the same.
misterwhite posted on 2018-05-22 11:03:56 Reply Private Reply
#10: Hank Rearden To: misterwhite (#9)
Hank Rearden posted on 2018-05-22 11:44:26 Reply Private Reply
#11: misterwhite To: Hank Rearden (#10)
I can accept either outcome.
A license is required. Others have them. He should, too. If that's objectionable or too onerous, then petition the city council to repeal the ordinance.
On the other hand, if we are to do away with the popcorn ordinance, then a warning sign should be posted so the consumer has all the information.
misterwhite posted on 2018-05-22 11:56:01 Reply Private Reply
#12: Stoner To: Deckard (#5)
Agree !!! Maybe the patrons/customers should kick the shit out of the health dept guy !
Stoner posted on 2018-05-22 20:20:20 Reply Private Reply
#13: GrandIsland To: Deckard (#5)
GrandIsland posted on 2018-05-22 20:49:28 Reply Private Reply
#14: Fred Mertz To: GrandIsland (#13)
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-05-22 22:08:17 Reply Private Reply
#15: GrandIsland To: Fred Mertz (#14)
GrandIsland posted on 2018-05-23 07:00:31 Reply Private Reply
#16: A K A Stone To: misterwhite (#2)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-05-23 07:21:00 Reply Private Reply