A Kroger store in Orion Township, which remains shuttered after state inspectors uncovered mouse droppings on the shelves, is not yet ready to welcome back its customers. The inspection, following a December 8 complaint, led to the finding of the droppings in multiple aisles, including where pet and bread products are stocked. Inspectors from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) visited the establishment located at 3097 S. Baldwin Road on December 9, where the presence of rodents was confirmed. According to Local 4 News, the grocery store announced an immediate closure on January 6.
MDARD had granted the grocery retailer a deadline of December 30, 2025, to rectify the infestation issue, a deadline the store evidently missed, leading to its current suspended operations. Details from an MDARD statement cited by WXYZ relay that the department remains in contact with the store amidst a voluntary closure orchestrated by Kroger. Shoppers have been met with signs informing them of the store's temporary closure, and initial customer reactions range from shock to understanding, with one shopper stating, "Probably not going to be shopping here for a while. It's kind of gross," whereas another, David Griffin, expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved effectively.
In response to the incident, Kroger took to immediate action, contracting a professional pest control company to inspect and address any issues. "We take the health and safety of our customers very seriously. As soon as we were made aware of the incident, we took immediate action to voluntarily close," a Kroger spokesperson stated, in an announcement covered by Detroit Free Press. The company has also instigated strict sanitation protocols and anticipates reopening as promptly as possible, forging ahead with a thorough cleaning and continued inspections.
Further measures taken by the store include installing brush gap fillers at loading docks, replacing weather stripping, and collaborating with Ecolab to locate potential entry points for pests. Despite the proactive steps and no prior complaints as of the date of the inspection report, MDARD has maintained discretion regarding detailed updates due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, stating only, "MDARD is in touch with the store following an inspection that resulted in a voluntary closure by Kroger," as reported by Detroit Free Press. The store's definitive reopening timeline remains undeclared to the public at this stage.
