Despite initial reports of electrical problems, Fresh Grocer was required to close last week due to a court order following multiple failed health inspections, according to Jeff Moran, spokesman for Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health.
The store, at 40th and Walnut streets, was closed from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday afternoon. The violations found by inspectors included mouse infestation and improper storage, said Moran. The store reopened after passing a subsequent inspection.
“Most establishments want us back out there as soon as possible,” Moran said, referring to closed stores’ desire to reopen as soon as possible after a follow-up inspection.
Moran’s comments are inconsistent with previous comments Fresh Grocer store managers made to The Daily Pennsylvanian. Assistant Store Manager Dean Stefano told the DP on Feb. 17 that the store closed after it began experiencing refrigeration problems, which led to other electrical malfunctions, such as cash registers shorting out.
Store Manager Doug Miller declined to comment Sunday on either this inconsistency or the health violations.
Some students were not surprised by news of the violations.
“I had heard stories, but [had] no firsthand experience,” said College junior Bell Athayu.
Likewise, College senior Jessica Rivo called the Fresh Grocer “generally a fairly disappointing grocery store,” adding that students “are forced to go there anyway for convenience.”
College sophomore Laura Dean said a mouse problem in the Fresh Grocer would make her “prefer to go to Trader Joe’s or the Uncommon Market.”
This is not the first time that the store has violated health codes. Multiple violations were cited in 2008 and 2009 reports, available on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website.
According to a food facility inspection report from Aug. 18, 2009 by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Office of Food Protection, “numerous mouse droppings were observed throughout the store” and “three small German roaches were seen crawling on the floor of the women’s restroom” during an inspection at the Fresh Grocer.
Results from last week’s health inspection were not available by press time Sunday night.
According to Executive Vice President’s Office spokesman Tony Sorrentino, Penn has been a major developer of 40th Street establishments such as the Fresh Grocer, the Bridge Cinema de Lux and Marathon Grill. However, he wrote in an e-mail that Penn is “the landlord of these three business, not the operator of the individual businesses.”
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