Pokey stix, pizza, pasta and wings are all student favorites at Gumby’s Pizza. However, after Sept. 28, students were no longer able to get their favorite food because Gumby’s was forced to shut down due to failing health inspection test scores. The results of these tests are now being appealed, allowing Gumby’s to reopen while the appeal is pending.
GumbyÕs has a history of high sanitation scores ranging from 91 to 99 according to Chance Hippler, co-founder of GumbyÕs. However in the previous two tests by Wake County Health Inspectors, the restaurant received a 70.5 and then a 60.5 — well below normal — thus forcing the shutdown. These findings are being disputed by Gumby’s, as they feel they are being bullied by the Chief of the Sanitation Department.
The community should continue its deep rooted support for Gumby’s when it reopens. Gumby’s has served students well for years and the service has been nothing short of excellent. The eatery has established itself as dependable and delicious to members of the campus community. Without these qualities it wouldn’t have become the No. 1 franchise of all 25 Gumby’s nationwide.
Gumby’s has been at its present location on Hillsborough Street for the past 19 years — without problems relating to sanitation. Given Gumby’s past history of sanitation scores in the 90s one should be curious as to why all of a sudden there are now problems. Patrons of Gumby’s deserve a clean and healthy place to eat, something Gumby’s has provided over its near two decades of service to Raleigh. So, why should it change now? Sanitation should be taken seriously. Hillsborough Street can’t afford to have another business leave its street front, let alone a cornerstone such as Gumby’s. Students should question the recent results of health inspections and Gumby’s sanitation efforts. Aside from this recent score, history shows Gumby’s looks out for its customers sanitation-wise, as they should continue in the future.
Once Gumby’s reopens, students can yet again get its Two for Tuesday special as well as their Pokey stix.
