Sometimes even a restaurant that has been open for more than 70 years can have its doors closed by a health violation.
The Good Earth Restaurant, at 1849 Portage Ave., was shuttered on July 16 after provincial inspectors found evidence of mice inside.
The Chinese-food eatery, which first opened at another location in 1952, is reopening Saturday.
“We had a report of someone seeing a rodent and when (health inspectors) came to inspect they found some droppings and we were forced to close,” the owner said Friday via translation from an employee who speaks English.
A pest-control service will make regular visits to ensure there are no further problems, the owner said, adding they got a green light Friday from the Health Department to reopen.
A provincial spokesman said public health inspectors regularly check restaurants along with responding to public complaints.
“On occasion, a restaurant that has never had a pest infestation may not recognize the seriousness of a situation,” the spokesman said.
“When not attended to immediately, pest activity can grow into an infestation that may warrant a closure and involvement from public health inspectors in order to ensure compliance, food safety and elimination of the issue.”
The spokesman said restaurants can prevent rodent and pest infestations by hiring a pest-control company, looking for evidence of mice, ensuring food is protected and performing daily cleaning and disinfection.
Meanwhile, Good Earth is one of 11 restaurants and a bakery that were closed for violations since mid-June.
The latest was the Luso Canadian Club, at 913 Sargent Ave., which was closed Tuesday because of the entry and presence of rodents, preparing food under insanitary conditions and failing to ensure food was protected from contamination.
VC Cuevas Bakery, at 969 McPhillips ave., was closed for seven days, starting July 17, for a few violations, including not taking effective measures to stop rodents from getting in, preparing food under insanitary conditions, not ensuring food-contact surfaces were clean and sanitized, and the premises not being kept clean and in good repair.
Morden’s Ichkaben Doner Kabab was closed July 8, and reopened two days later, because it was found operating before it had a food-handling permit.
The Applebee’s location at 1598 Regent Ave. West was closed from July 12 to 15 because it failed to take effective measures to stop rodents from getting in.
Others that were closed and have since reopened: Metro Grill at Travelodge by Wyndham on Notre Dame Avenue, Chili Chutney Street Kitchen (1663 Kenaston Blvd.), A One Fast Food and Grocery (643 Portage Ave.) and North Garden Restaurant (33 University Cres).
The food service at the Deer Ridge Golf Course in Brandon closed July 15 and has not reopened, according to the province’s website.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
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