Five months after a rodent infestation forced its closure, Cupertino’s Whole Foods reopened Monday to the delight of many shoppers.
While many residents were excited for the return of the store, others worried whether any of the issues that triggered its closure still lingered.
“I’m a local. I love this store – but hopefully the rats are gone,” said Cupertino resident Mina Tahera, echoing the enthusiasm tinged with concern expressed by many shoppers Monday at the reopened Whole Foods.
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health inspectors first flagged the Whole Foods, located at 20955 Steven Creek Blvd., during an inspection in late March, prompting the closure of the deli and bakery. At the time, inspectors noted rodent droppings in several areas in the deli section, including the preparation and equipment storage areas. They also saw cockroaches in the bakery area at “all life stages” near the dishwasher and two dead cockroaches behind a wire rack holding dishes.
Then in early April, inspectors returned and reported fresh rodent droppings in the back kitchen “along the walls and under equipment,” leading them to close the store until there was no more evidence of rodent infestation.
On September 9 and 10, the county health department conducted two inspections and observed no evidence of rodent infestation, clearing the store for reopening.
According to the inspection report, the store trimmed trees that were touching the building, installed door seals, and fixed structural issues — including gaps under the women’s restroom sinks and in the men’s restroom wall — to prevent rodents from entering the store. They also cleaned and sanitized store surfaces.
“This place was the filthiest place for 10 years,” said Homa Babaei outside of the Whole Foods, listing off several concerns about cleanliness, particularly with food preparation at the store’s deli. “I hope they didn’t hire the same people.”
A Whole Foods spokesperson did not answer questions regarding staffing changes, but asserted that the store had thoroughly addressed all issues identified by the health department and made extensive improvements.
Several shoppers were simply glad it was open. “Everybody was fine. Nobody was concerned,” said Cupertino resident Jackie Jackson regarding the health violations. “I love it. It’s good that it’s open.”
Along with the health-based improvements, the store also conducted “extensive building maintenance, improve(d) the parking lot, and refresh(ed) finishes and furniture throughout the store and exterior” which pushed back its timeline for reopening, according to a Whole Foods statement shared earlier this month by spokesperson Nathan Cimbala.
“It needed to be updated,” said Cupertino resident Mark Vanni, noting that the parking lot especially was “run down,” adding that the closure was “a bit inconvenient” since this was his closest grocery store.
According to a statement earlier this month from Department of Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood, “Whole Foods staff worked closely” with the health department to take corrective actions, and while no further re-inspections are planned, the county will continue to monitor the Whole Foods with unannounced inspections.
Stephanie Lam contributed reporting.