Roslindale Variety Store

4254 Washington St, Roslindale, MA 02131
Grocery / Market
Last inspected: May 2, 2025
45
Score
High Risk

Across the available record, Roslindale Variety Store has six inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On May 2, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around seven violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance”, showing up three times.

Restaurants in Roslindale average 85, so Roslindale Variety Store trails the local norm. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.

6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 2, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Observed expired Crema Guatemaleteca March 25. Ensure staff is trained on removing expired foods from all shelving. Remove all expired food items throughout the store.
590.003/3-701.11-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Observed eggs being stored on the top shelf above produce. Remove eggs and place on the bottom shelf.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed tupaware in the hand sink. Remove items out of hand sink.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No vomit & diarrhea kit on site. Provide vomit and diarrhea kit. Procedures will be sent over in the email with this report. Print out the procedures and place with vomit and diarrhea kit.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Food labels (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed frozen pork chops salmon and fish with no labels. Provide labels and invoices.
590.003/3-602.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed hand signage posted in the mop sink. Remove sign from mop sink area and place over hand sink. Observed soap dispenser on the wall behind the mop sink. Remove and place near the hand sink. Observed paper towels in the mop sink area. Remove and place near the hand sink. Ensure staff is using the mop sink for the mop water and not washing hands or dishes inside the mop sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Observed missing ceiling tile. Replace ceiling tile.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide thermometers inside all refrigeration units.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Observed salami being stored on the air vents inside the open refrigeration case. Ensure you are not storing food ontop of the air vents. Remove
590.003/3-307.11-C
45
Jun 17, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 15, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Prohibiting animals (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed live cat in establishment. Remove. Discussed with PIC that live animals are prohibited from retail stores unless service animal. Corrected on site
590.006/6-501.115-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: At this time I found droppings along the ceiling in the stairway to the basement. PIC will need to replace missing tiles clean up droppings and provide a pest control report. Please email me the past few inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to replace all missing ceiling tiles in stairway to basement and basement in room food is being stored.
590.006/6-101.11-C
78
Dec 7, 2023
Routine
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to get the proper equipment ( hand sink three bay sink with drain boards ) in the store to be able to reheat and hot hold foods. PIC will have to have take out added to the Health permit. Also take the Food Safety Class and Allergen. Health Permit needs to be posted.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC has a hot holding unit at the front counter. At this time no food inside. Spoke to PIC on the phone and I was told that he will reheat some beef parries in the microwave and hot hold. Location does not have a hand sink at the front counter.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: At this time I found droppings along the ceiling in the stairway to the basement. PIC will need to replace missing tiles clean up droppings and provide a pest control report. Please email me the past few inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Prohibiting animals (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed live cat in establishment. Remove. Discussed with PIC that live animals are prohibited from retail stores unless service animal. Corrected on site
590.006/6-501.115-PF
Manual warewashing sink compartment requirements (c)
Inspector notes: I did not see a three bay sink at this location to be able to properly wash and sanitizer equipment.
590.004/4-301.12-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to replace all missing ceiling tiles in stairway to basement and basement in room food is being stored.
590.006/6-101.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Someone at this location will need to have a Food Safety Certificate to be able to reheat cook and hot hold. Discontinue.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
58
Nov 27, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC has a hot holding unit at the front counter. At this time no food inside. Spoke to PIC on the phone and I was told that he will reheat some beef parries in the microwave and hot hold. Location does not have a hand sink at the front counter.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: At this time I found droppings along the ceiling in the stairway to the basement. PIC will need to replace missing tiles clean up droppings and provide a pest control report. Please email me the past few inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to get the proper equipment ( hand sink three bay sink with drain boards ) in the store to be able to reheat and hot hold foods. PIC will have to have take out added to the Health permit. Also take the Food Safety Class and Allergen. Health Permit needs to be posted.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: PIC will need to replace all missing ceiling tiles in stairway to basement and basement in room food is being stored.
590.006/6-101.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: Someone at this location will need to have a Food Safety Certificate to be able to reheat cook and hot hold. Discontinue.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Manual warewashing sink compartment requirements (c)
Inspector notes: I did not see a three bay sink at this location to be able to properly wash and sanitizer equipment.
590.004/4-301.12-C
64
Jul 5, 2022
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: provide a covered receptacle in restroom.
590.005/5-501.17-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: repair flooring at entry area/
590.006/6-501.11-C
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: remove all beverage crates and milk crates used for shelving.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Heating ventilation air conditioning system vents (c)
Inspector notes: provide a vent system in restroom
590.006/6-202.12-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean floor inbetween all reachins
590.006/6-201.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: provide proper labels for retail packaged cakes.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: elevate shelving in storage room 6 to 8 inches off the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: remove frost buildup from ice cream unit/clean reachins as needed.
590.004/4-602.13-C
67

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Roslindale Variety Store last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Roslindale Variety Store on file is from May 2, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Roslindale Variety Store?

Across the inspection record, “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Roslindale Variety Store.

How does Roslindale Variety Store compare to other restaurants in Roslindale?

Roslindale Variety Store most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Roslindale average of 85.

Has Roslindale Variety Store's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Roslindale Variety Store have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Roslindale Variety Store means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is Roslindale Variety Store inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Roslindale Variety Store is inspected around two times per year on average.