"...More Than 400 Mouse Droppings Spread Out Throughout The Shop..."

Inspectors for the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation shut down a grocery store and a butcher shop last week after finding evidence of mouse infestations.

At Bornhofen's Meat Market, 6155 N. Broadway, inspectors for the department's Dumpster Task Force on Wednesday found more than 400 mouse droppings spread out throughout the shop--under the meat displays, the sinks and the used cooking-grease container. More than 120 mouse droppings were found in the walk-in cooler, according to their report.

Workers at the traditional butcher shop sprinkle the floor under the meat displays with sawdust, which inspectors found was being used by mice for nesting, department spokesman Matt Smith said. The shop was reopened after it passed a second inspection.
"Even well-established neighborhood businesses such as this one can have problems with housekeeping and pest control that get way out of hand," Michael J. Picardi, Streets and Sanitation commissioner, said in a statement.

On Tuesday, inspectors closed the Sabreen Grocery Store, 525 E. 67th St., when they found more than 240 mouse droppings under soda crates that were improperly being used as shelving, according to the department.

Mice had chewed their way into more than 25 bags of hot flaming and jalapeno potato chips, as well as cheese puffs and pork rinds, inspectors said.