A Stop & Shop store in Roxbury has been temporarily closed due to evidence of mice, according to a spokesperson.
A spokesperson for Stop & Shop said on Monday the store, located at 460 Blue Hill Avenue, was closed by the Boston Inspectional Services Department. The evidence of mice may be due to nearby demolition and construction activity.
William Christopher, Director of the Inspectional Services Department, said Monday the store was closed at noon after a complaint was made on Friday.
According to Christopher, a customer found evidence of mice on Friday and reported it to someone. Christopher said nothing had been cleaned up when they returned Monday.
Health officials said there were mouse droppings and dead mice found in and around the store. At least one dead rat was also found outside the building.
Christopher said he has been the director for two years and this is the first time he has shut down a grocery store for this reason.
"We went out again this morning as a follow up to our discussion on Friday, and we found that the mouse infestation had gotten worse, and they had not done any of the repair work or remedial plans that we had given them to make things correct," Christopher said.
Stop & Shop released this statement on Monday:
"Regardless of the reasons, the conditions at this Stop & Shop store location are our responsibility. We are cooperating with the Department and are making every possible effort to address the conditions and bring the store into compliance with our own high standards as quickly as possible. We apologize for this inconvenience to our Roxbury customers and commit to do our very best to ensure that this situation does not reoccur," the company said.
The store will remain closed until re-inspection by the Department is compete.
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