An upscale grocery store chain was ordered to close a portion of its Santa Monica location after inspectors with the L.A. County Department of Public Health found what it described as a “vermin infestation,” according to multiple media reports.
Erewhon, a popular and pricey market, where a smoothie, depending on its celebrity-endorsed blends, can run customers anywhere from $16 to $36, has 10 stores in Los Angeles County with plans to open three new locations in Southern California later this year.
The Santa Monica location, located at 2800 Wilshire Boulevard was cited after health officials spotted two live cockroaches and one dead in its tonic bar.
According to the Los Angeles Times, inspectors noted “two live nymph German cockroaches in the cabinet under the ‘Simonelli’ coffee machine,” and spotted a dead cockroach.
“Eliminate all cockroaches and all evidence of cockroaches from the facility,” the health department’s citation said.
In a statement to The Times, a spokesperson for the grocery store chain apologized for the “lapse in our standards,” and added that the store voluntarily closed its tonic bar where smoothies, juices, teas and coffees are made.
The citation came on April 8, local outlet L.A. Taco reported, with the grocery store getting a “B” grade and a final score of 84 out of 100.
The closure order said health department officials had found “major” problems with “rodents, insects, birds or animals,” The Times reported.
The tonic bar was expected to reopen sometime this afternoon.
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