TYLER (KYTX)- If you planned on eating dinner at the Applebee's on South Broadway in Tyler on Tuesday, you were in for a surprise.
The restaurant unexpectedly closed for the day, and the Northeast Texas Public Health District says that's because of some permits that were not kept up to date.
"I love eating at Applebee's!" says Mollie Miller. "It's one of my favorite places to go." But Miller left Tuesday night without a meal.
The health district says during a routine inspection Tuesday, inspectors found out the restaurant has a new owner.
NET Health Environmental Health Dept. Assistant Director, Ginger Wood, says, "The reason for shutting down the restaurant was that there is no valid food establishment permit for that ownership of that establishment."
Texas law requires new owners to get new permits.
Customers may have noticed some new changes to the outside of this Applebee's building, including different signs and awnings, but there are also some recent renovations on the inside of the building. NET Health says the problem with that, is the new owner did not notify the City of Tyler and the fire department.
"They also must notify the health department prior to any construction for remodel so that we can guarantee that we can guarantee the safety of the food source and that there is no contamination of the food that is being served to the public," Wood says.
CBS 19 was told other important departments were also left out of the loop.
"They failed to notify the City of Tyler Building Inspections Department of the change owner ship and they also failed to notify the City of Tyler about the remodel."
Miller is glad the new owner is finally taking care of business so she can get back to her favorite dinner spot.
"We will definitely come back and bring everybody with us!" she said.
Wood tells CBS 19 that the owner spent Tuesday getting applications into the health district as well as the City of Tyler. If all the right paper work is turned in and approved, and new inspections are completed quickly, the restaurant could be open as soon as Wednesday.
No one at the Tyler location would talk to CBS 19 crews Tuesday. Employees said only the corporate offices could give a statement. We are still waiting to hear back from those with Applebee's corporate offices.
