Skip to content
Loading map…

CREATIVE MINI MARKET

701 W WILLOW ST, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

CREATIVE MINI MARKET has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 29, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 24, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2022. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2022. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on March 29, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on March 29, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 7 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 19, 2022. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O): NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN AND KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • NO PREP COOLERS INSTALLED ON SITE TO BE ABLE TO STORE TCS FOODS: HOT DOGS,ETC. AIR COOLER MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005 NO CITATIONS ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.12: CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, SPECIALLY ALONG BASEBOARD WALL AND UNDER SHELVES.EXCESS DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DUST BUILD-UP ON CEILING VENT COVER ABOVE TWO-DOOR FREEZER IN SELLING AREA, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-202.11: BURNED LIGHT BULB IN BASEMENT MUST BE REPLACED
  4. License

    11 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN AND KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • A STEM THERMOMETER IS REQUIRED TO CHECK TCS FOOD DELIVERED: MILK.EGGS, ETC
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WAS PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020, NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE TO REPAIR MOP SINK. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.REPAIR OR REPLACE SAID SINK. NEED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL SINK AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS. ALSO MUST ELEVATE FROM FLOOR IN FRONT OF WINDOW WOOD FOR FIREWOOD.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PROVIDED AT MOP SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE CONTAINER IS PROVIDED ON-SITE.INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT A COMPANY AND PROVIDE SAID CONTAINER PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-38-020(B)NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • HOLE ON WALL AT REAR STORAGE.SEAL WALL AND FLOOR UNDER THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES,SPECIALLY ALONG BASEBOARD WALL AND UNDER SHELVES.EXCESS DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DUST BUILD-UP ON CEILING VENT COVER ABOVE TWO DOOR FREZEER IN SALING AREA, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • BURNED LIGHT BULB IN BASEMENT MUST BE REPLACED

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website