Unlicensed for 18 years, popular zongzi store closed down

A popular store in Hongkou District which had been selling zongzi, or traditional glutinous rice dumplings, for 18 years was closed by Hongkou authorities yesterday for being unlicensed.

The store, hidden inside a residential complex on Sichuan Road N., started operating in 2000. At first, the family running the store just operated it for one or two months a year. A lot of complaints from nearby residents were filed after it expanded business gradually and operated almost year round, officials said.

The family was found changing gas pipelines without permits, setting up cookers in public areas, and linking fire hydrants to illegally redirect water for its business operation.

The family stored many food processing items on the walkway inside alleyways, affecting residents' access, officials said.

The store had even installed surveillance cameras to evade law enforcement, closing its doors whenever officials visited.

Items used to process food inside the store were dirty and there was no hygiene and disinfection equipment, officials found.