Rogers Park Store Closed After Inspectors Find Signs Of Mice

UPDATED 04/14/11 8:58 a.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Rogers Park neighborhood grocery store has been shut down, after city inspectors found mouse feces in the freezer, and bags of rice and corn chips that had been chewed on.

Inspectors from Mayor Daley's Dumpster Task Force came to the Clark Supermarket at 6647 N. Clark St. on a general complaint Wednesday when they visited the store and promptly spotted signs of infestation, according to a news release.

More than 500 mouse droppings were found in areas such as the walk-in cooler, where milk, eggs and tortillas were stored; and on shelving, a release from the city Department of Streets and Sanitation said.

Inspectors also found that mice had gnawed into two 20-pound bags of rice and several bags of corn chips. Numerous holes and openings were found in the store, which provided mice with multiple nesting options.

Inspectors also reported there was no hot water on the premises so management could not effectively keep things clean, the release said.

In addition to the mice and water problems, the market had major hygiene issues, Street and Sanitation deputy commissioner Josie Cruz said.

"Our inspectors reported that conditions were deplorable and that housekeeping appeared to be non-existent, so management is going to have a lot of work to do before this store will be allowed to reopen," Cruz said.

The market was closed for the critical violations of inadequate pest control and failing to protect the food supply from contamination. The store also incurred a serious violation for failing to have hot running water.

The owners must address the pest control and plumbing issues, clean the store, and then request and pass a follow-up inspection, the release said.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.