Pete's Organic Market: Mascot fruit shop owner charged, store shut

The owner of an organic Sydney fruit shop has been charged and ordered to close his shop for a week after multiple Covid public health order breaches.

The owner of an organic Sydney fruit shop has been charged and ordered to close his shop for a week after allegedly flouting Covid public health orders.

NSW Police were called to Pete’s Organic Market in Mascot on five separate occasions in July following public complaints about the fruit shop not complying with health orders.

Store owner Peter ‘Pete’ Melov was issued a penalty infringement notice on July 4 for not wearing a face mask at his retail business nor ensuring his staff were wearing an appropriate face covering.

NSW Police were called to Pete’s Organic Market in Mascot on five separate occasions this month following public complaints about the fruit shop not complying with health orders.

Police returned to the King St store following further complaints where they spoke to Melov and a staff member who allegedly refused to comply with the Public Health Order (PHO) and were charged with not wearing a mask at the retail business.

Less than three weeks later, police were called to the fruit shop where they allegedly found no QR codes were displayed.

Melov was arrested and taken to Mascot Police Station last Wednesday where he was charged with breaching the PHO.

Following his arrest, Melov took to social media sharing his closure order letter on Saturday.

He also announced his bizarre new “shopping policy.”

“Due to my arrests and constantly changing rules on distancing, mask wearing and movement, I have implemented a simple shopping policy,” he said on Instagram.

Owner Peter Melov shared his closure order letter on Instagram. Picture: Instagram/@petesorganicmarket

“One person shopping at a time. Each customer access to the entire shop for a period of 20 minutes.”

SafeWork NSW’s metro compliance director Dimitri Argeres said it was “disappointing” that some businesses were not taking the health orders seriously.

“This fruit store has consistently failed to maintain COVID safety standards by not wearing masks or having a QR code, showing a blatant disregard for the safety of the community,” Mr Argeres said.

“It is clear that the ongoing operation of this business presents a significant risk to public health and needs to be sent a strong message.

“All businesses must do the right thing to keep their customers safe and help stop the spread. There is no excuse for not complying with these requirements,” he continued.

“Any business that repeatedly fails to comply with the Public Health Orders faces temporary closure.”

Melov, who is on bail, will face Downing Centre Local Court in August.