Queens, NY — New Thriving Restaurant, an Asian fusion establishment at 120-12 Liberty Avenue in South Richmond Hill, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on February 19, 2026. The closure came just two days after the restaurant had reopened from a prior closure on February 17, marking the second time the establishment was closed within the same week.
The February 19 inspection recorded a score of 13 points and documented one non-critical violation related to pest conditions. Despite the relatively low numerical score, the establishment was re-closed by DOHMH, indicating that inspectors determined conditions still warranted a closure action.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 19 inspection, inspectors cited one non-critical violation under Code 08A: the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.
This violation category covers a range of conditions that can attract or shelter pests, including gaps in walls or floors, improper waste storage, standing water, or evidence of pest activity. While classified as non-critical, pest-related conditions are among the most commonly cited violations across New York City restaurants and can contribute to more serious food safety concerns if left unaddressed.
No critical violations were documented during this particular inspection. However, the re-closure suggests that the conditions observed during the prior February 17 inspection — which resulted in a score of 67 points — had not been sufficiently resolved during the brief period between reopening and the follow-up visit.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework governing food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH inspectors have the authority to close a restaurant when conditions present an imminent health hazard to the public. Common reasons for closure actions include evidence of active pest infestation, lack of hot water, sewage issues, or other conditions that cannot be corrected immediately.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, identifies pest management as a fundamental component of food establishment sanitation. Pest harborage conditions can lead to contamination of food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas, potentially resulting in foodborne illness.
When a restaurant is closed by DOHMH, it must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to resume operations. The rapid sequence of closure, reopening, and re-closure observed at New Thriving Restaurant indicates that conditions identified during the initial closure had not been fully remediated at the time of the follow-up inspection.
Inspection History
New Thriving Restaurant's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- Feb 20, 2026: Score 4 (Grade Z) — Reopened
- Feb 17, 2026: Score 67 — Closed by DOHMH
- Feb 19, 2026: Score 13 — Re-closed by DOHMH
- Nov 14, 2024: Score 21 (Grade B)
- Jan 3, 2024: Score 45
- Mar 23, 2023: Score not recorded
- Nov 28, 2022: Score 23 (Grade B)
- Jul 14, 2022: Score 27
The timeline of recent events is notable. The restaurant was closed on February 17 with a score of 67, then reopened on February 20 with a score of 4. However, the inspection conducted on February 19 — between those two dates — resulted in the re-closure documented here. This sequence reflects the rapid pace at which DOHMH conducts follow-up inspections after closure actions to verify that violations have been corrected.
The restaurant's longer-term history shows scores ranging from 21 to 45 points across previous inspection cycles, with Grade B results recorded in both November 2024 and November 2022. The January 2024 score of 45 points and the February 2026 score of 67 points represent the establishment's highest recorded scores, indicating periods of more significant compliance challenges.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- A Grade: 0–13 points — Represents the highest level of compliance
- B Grade: 14–27 points — Indicates moderate violations identified
- C Grade: 28 or more points — Indicates more significant compliance issues
Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, during which a new score is generated. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
This inspection data was collected by DOHMH on February 19, 2026, and released publicly on February 26, 2026. Residents can verify current restaurant grades and inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the grade card posted at the establishment. For questions about food safety concerns, the public can contact 311 or visit the NYC DOHMH website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for New Thriving Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.