Even Rats Like 99 Cents Store

Whether rodents were looking for 99-cent cheese or 99-cent bagels wasn't clear—either way, their presence was enough to temporarily halt food sales at the Santa Monica store earlier this month.

At 2801 Pico Blvd., the 99 Cents Store was barred from selling food for a couple days after inspectors found a live mouse and old rodent droppings on the premise Jan. 11, said LeTaun Cotton, the Environmental Health Services Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"Whenever there’s a cockroach or rodent infestation" at a restaurant or store that sells food, "there’s a mandatory closure of a minimum of 48 hours," she said. "We revisited the facility and reopened it shortly thereafter."

At the Santa Monica location, fresh produce is sold in a refrigerated market and shelves are stocked with canned and boxed foods. The store was able to continue selling other non-food products in the meantime.

"We found the [store's] front door was open, which was giving invitation to entry for rodents," Cotton said.

The department of public health was performing a routine inspection at the time.

Cotton said the location does not have a history of any similar violations.

A 99 Cents Store spokeswoman did not immediatly return a message seeking comment for this story.