The building housing Wilmington's landmark Govatos Chocolates was condemned by the city and a sign hanging on the door said it was "unfit for human habitation."

The 800 N. Market St. building had to be vacated by Monday, Sept. 16, according to a yellow notice that was signed by Wilmington's Department of Licenses and Inspections Commissioner Jeffrey J. Starkey.

The century-old candy shop/restaurant at the corner of Eighth and Market streets was to remain vacant until necessary repairs were made and approved, according to the notice.

The business also was ordered closed by the state health department effective Tuesday, Sept. 17, for "gross, unsanitary conditions."

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City Department of Licenses and Inspections Commissioner Starkey told The News Journal that his department visited Govatos on Monday after receiving a complaint from a customer.

Starkey said they found unsanitary conditions, including mouse droppings, restrooms not working, and a condenser in the basement that was not properly vented or approved by the city.

"The kitchen was a mess," Starkey said, adding food items were not wrapped. "It was scary for a restaurant."

Starkey said the building also was visited by the city fire marshal and they noticed "weak floors" in the building that could be a hazard, especially if there was a fire.

Starkey said his department ordered the building closed and then contacted the state department of health to inspect the site.

The News Journal requested the health inspection report on Wednesday.

According to a state health inspection report written Tuesday, an inspector viewed photos taken Monday by the city's L&I department that apparently showed mouse droppings on candy trays.

The inspector, who toured the building, wrote that it appeared the mouse droppings were removed, however, all the unwrapped chocolate candy remained. Droppings were found under the showcase, according to the report.

An inspector saw mouse droppings throughout the back kitchen area, including the preparation area, under a sink, on shelving, under the cook line and a slicer, according to the report.

The inspector also saw weakened and damaged floors, walls and ceilings. Structure foundations were exposed and mold and mildew was observed. The room, the inspector wrote, was "completely in disarray."

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When reached by The News Journal Wednesday afternoon, owner Nick Govatos said the downtown Wilmington store, which had its front windows decorated with Halloween jack o'lanterns and ghosts, was closed.

"We have some structural problems and an air conditioner situation," he said.

But, he said the 4105 Concord Pike store in the Talleyville Shopping Center remains open.

"We're going to do everything they say we need to do and remedy the situation," Govatos said of the downtown Wilmington location.

He said he hopes to reopen in about 10 days. Govatos declined further comment.

The Govatos family has been making chocolates in the city of Wilmington since 1894. There's also a restaurant on the site operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Starkey said the building needs to inspected again by the city, fire marshal and state health department before it can reopen.

The state health department said the chocolate in the front part of the store had to be discarded immediately. According to the report, the entire kitchen, counters, bar counters and floors had to cleaned and sanitized.

The back kitchen had to be decluttered of unused and broken items and the prep line, cook line, shelves, sinks and dish machine area, had to be cleaned and sanitized, an inspector wrote. A soda unit and ice machine also had to be relocated.

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico

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