DERBY — Moe’s Southwestern Grill at 44 Pershing Drive closed because the restaurant did not update its licensing information with the Naugatuck Valley Health District, officials said.
“The establishment had a change of ownership and did not update their license with us. As soon as they have their required application approved, they will be able to reopen,” NVHD Health Director Jessica Kristy wrote in an email Sept. 4 in response to a Valley Indy inquiry.
The publication asked the health district after a person on Facebook posted a photo of a closure sign affixed to Moe’s on Sept. 4. The closure was dated Sept. 2.
Health code regulations state that food service licenses are not transferable. New owners have to apply for new licenses. Penalties include fines for each day an establishment was not operating without a proper license.
The Valley Indy was unable to determine who owns Moe’s. It was previously owned by Savin Brands, LLC. Public records still list Savin as the owner. That could mean the sale happened recently and the public record has yet to be updated, at least online.
The business was listed for sale earlier this year for $100,000. The location was generating about $788,000 in annual sales, according to that listing.