5 months after a rodent infestation compelled its closure, Cupertino’s Entire Meals reopened Monday to the delight of many consumers.
Whereas many residents have been excited for the return of the shop, others anxious whether or not any of the problems that triggered its closure nonetheless lingered.
“I’m a local. I love this store – but hopefully the rats are gone,” stated Cupertino resident Mina Tahera, echoing the keenness tinged with concern expressed by many consumers Monday on the reopened Entire Meals.
Santa Clara County Division of Environmental Well being inspectors first flagged the Entire Meals, situated at 20955 Steven Creek Blvd., throughout an inspection in late March, prompting the closure of the deli and bakery. On the time, inspectors famous rodent droppings in a number of areas within the deli part, together with the preparation and tools storage areas. In addition they noticed cockroaches within the bakery space at “all life stages” close to the dishwasher and two lifeless cockroaches behind a wire rack holding dishes.
Then in early April, inspectors returned and reported recent rodent droppings within the again kitchen “along the walls and under equipment,” main them to shut the shop till there was no extra proof of rodent infestation.
On September 9 and 10, the county well being division performed two inspections and noticed no proof of rodent infestation, clearing the shop for reopening.
Based on the inspection report, the shop trimmed bushes that have been touching the constructing, put in door seals, and stuck structural points — together with gaps beneath the ladies’s restroom sinks and within the males’s restroom wall — to stop rodents from getting into the shop. In addition they cleaned and sanitized retailer surfaces.
“This place was the filthiest place for 10 years,” stated Homa Babaei exterior of the Entire Meals, itemizing off a number of considerations about cleanliness, notably with meals preparation on the retailer’s deli. “I hope they didn’t hire the same people.”
A Entire Meals spokesperson didn’t reply questions relating to staffing modifications, however asserted that the shop had completely addressed all points recognized by the well being division and made intensive enhancements.
A number of customers have been merely glad it was open. “Everybody was fine. Nobody was concerned,” stated Cupertino resident Jackie Jackson relating to the well being violations. “I love it. It’s good that it’s open.”
Together with the health-based enhancements, the shop additionally performed “extensive building maintenance, improve(d) the parking lot, and refresh(ed) finishes and furniture throughout the store and exterior” which pushed again its timeline for reopening, in keeping with a Entire Meals assertion shared earlier this month by spokesperson Nathan Cimbala.
“It needed to be updated,” stated Cupertino resident Mark Vanni, noting that the parking zone particularly was “run down,” including that the closure was “a bit inconvenient” since this was his closest grocery retailer.
Based on a press release earlier this month from Division of Environmental Well being Director Marilyn Underwood, “Whole Foods staff worked closely” with the well being division to take corrective actions, and whereas no additional re-inspections are deliberate, the county will proceed to watch the Entire Meals with unannounced inspections.
Stephanie Lam contributed reporting.
