City officials shutter North Side Whole Foods

Courtesy of Crain's Chicago Business

The Whole Foods Market in Lincoln Park was shut down Wednesday afternoon after city inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation. A representative for the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain was not available for immediate comment. An inspection by the Chicago Department of Public Health found mouse feces throughout the store at 1000 W. North Ave., according to a statement from the city agency. Inspectors also found “more than 100 droppings” in one walk-in cooler and a dead mouse stuck to a trap. It was the second time in recent weeks that the Public Health Department visited the Lincoln Park store. Whole Foods was first told to address the issue after an inspection on June 27, but the problem had not been fixed by Wednesday, a Public Health Department spokesman said. The store closed about 3 p.m. Wednesday and would remain closed until passing a follow-up inspection by the Public Health Department. The store must fix the problem and schedule a re-inspection. Whole Foods faces a fine of up to $500 and must appear at a hearing scheduled for Aug. 21.