City inspectors closed the Mission branch of Gus’s Community Market Tuesday after inspectors cited a pest infestation, according to a health department notice posted at the front of the store.
The entrance to locals’ beloved family-owned market on 17th and Harrison streets was shuttered by Wednesday afternoon.
Daniel Peanut, an employee, confirmed the closure was the result of a pest infestation and some lingering plumbing issues. He said the store’s staff was fixing the problems, and expected a Department of Public Health official to be back Wednesday evening to reinspect the promises.
Two employees who had just started working today mopped the mats outside.
“It’ll work out,” Peanut said.
A Department of Public Health Environmental Health Management staff worker declined to give more details, and suggested Mission Local make a public records request.
City records from this past August show Gus’s on Harrison reported only minor issues with “insects, rodents, birds, or nonservice animals.”
Gus’s Community Market isn’t the only store that’s harbored unwanted guests lately. Not too far away, in Glen Park, Canyon Market made headlines in September for a rodent infestation-caused closure, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The market owner blamed the vermin on a woman who regularly spreads large amounts of birdseed, which attracts pests. Earlier this year, the Chron ran a story that dubbed San Francisco as “one of the ‘rattiest cities in America.’”
Regarding Gus’s, Peanut said he expected the store to reopen soon, potentially later this evening or tomorrow.
I have a writ here says you’re to stop eating Gus’ cornmeal forthwith. Now it’s a rat writ, writ for a rat, and this is lawful service of the same.
The homeless camps attract rodents to the area
I definitely saw a big fat rat scurrying through the aisles a couple months ago. In true Mission fashion, I just turned and looked away. A patagonia-vester had a bigger reaction and tried to do something about it. Alas, seems like the rats finally got their eviction notice
I saw wererat with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the Mission streets in the rain
He was looking for the place called Wok & Go
For to get a big dish of beef chow mein
Ah-hoo, wererats of the Mission
Ah-hoo
Ah-hoo, wererats of the Mission
Ah-hoo
I think it’s the Glen Park “birdseed lady” is not unhoused; the Chronicle article mentions the health department working with her landlord
Come back soon Gus’s! Love your store, and totally trust you to do what is needed to re-open.