Troubled South Bay Whole Foods location closed for vermin infestation cleared to reopen

(KRON) — A Whole Foods store in Cupertino that was closed earlier this year due to a vermin infestation has been cleared to reopen. The Cupertino location on Stevens Creek Boulevard was ordered to close by the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health in April after health inspectors previously shut down its deli and bakery departments.

At the time, the county told KRON4 that the store’s permit was suspended after inspectors “found more evidence of vermin in additional locations, which led to the immediate temporary closure of the store due to health and safety violations.”

An inspection report from the County of Santa Clara on Sept. 10 indicated that the location had passed subsequent follow-up inspections and there was “no observation of rodent activity in the facility during inspection.”

Trees that were touching the building around its interior had also been trimmed to prevent vermin entry, inspectors noted.

“Gaps around pipes under women’s restroom hand wash sinks and in men’s restroom have been fixed,” the report noted. “All other structural issues noted by pest control company have been corrected.”

As of Sept. 10, the store had been given the OK to reopen. According to a Whole Foods spokesperson, it has not yet reopened.

“Whole Foods Market has addressed the initial concerns that led to the store’s closure,” a spokesperson told KRON4. “We’ve taken this opportunity to conduct extensive building maintenance, improve the parking lot, and refresh finishes and furniture throughout the store and exterior. These additional improvements, while extending our timeline, will ensure we can provide the best possible shopping experience when we reopen.”