The Five Below store located at 16th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia, a prominent location for the discount retailer, has been mandated to shut its doors temporarily. This closure comes after health inspectors discovered evidence of mice infestation during multiple inspections.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health officially ordered the store’s closure following a December 2 inspection. This inspection revealed disturbing findings, including dead mice in the basement area and mouse droppings in the vicinity where food items like chips and popcorn were stored. Adding to the severity, inspectors also found 22 bags of food products that had been gnawed through by rodents.
The health department instructed the Philadelphia-based chain to maintain the store’s closure for a minimum of 48 hours. Crucially, the store’s reopening is contingent upon approval from the Department of Public Health, pending a successful reinspection. A subsequent reinspection report, dated December 5, indicated that the problems persisted. Inspectors continued to find mouse droppings and evidence of gnawed holes in numerous bags of chips and popcorn, highlighting the ongoing issue.
Further complicating matters, the inspection report also noted several structural and maintenance concerns within the store. These included damaged floor tiles, unsealed utility lines, and ceiling tiles that were stained or missing, suggesting potential points of entry or harborage for pests.
For the Chestnut Street Five Below to resume operations, the company is required to pay a fee and secure explicit approval from the Public Health Department, demonstrating the seriousness of the violations.
This recent closure is not an isolated incident for the Chestnut Street location. Several reinspections have been conducted in recent months. Back in July, inspectors had already flagged violations at this store, including the discovery of four dead mice, an incident involving a customer bringing a dog into the store, and used needles found in the dumpster area. These past violations underscore a recurring pattern of issues at this particular Five Below location.
Opened in 2015, the two-story Five Below store on Chestnut Street is situated less than a mile from the company’s corporate headquarters at 701 Market Street. Interestingly, the company also operates a store at its headquarters address at 701 Market Street. This location too has faced similar issues; inspectors found rodent droppings there in September. However, in that instance, the problem was reportedly resolved before a follow-up reinspection in October.
Five Below has not yet issued an official statement regarding the store closure or the health violations at the 16th and Chestnut location. The silence from the company leaves customers and the public awaiting further information on when this store might reopen and what measures are being taken to address the health concerns. For customers wondering about shopping hours, this location is temporarily unavailable until further notice from the health department and Five Below. It is advisable to check the Five Below website or local announcements for updates regarding the reopening of the 16th and Chestnut Street store before planning a visit.
Recently, Five Below has undergone leadership changes. The retail chain, which boasts over 1,500 stores nationwide, welcomed Winnie Park as its new CEO this week. Park, with a background including leadership roles at Paper Source and Forever 21, succeeds Kenneth Bull, the company’s chief operating officer who had been serving as interim CEO. The previous CEO, Joel D. Anderson, departed in July following disappointing quarterly profit reports. These leadership shifts occur as Five Below navigates evolving market conditions and consumer expectations in the discount retail sector.
While Five Below experienced sales and profit growth during the pandemic when many other retailers faced difficulties, its recent performance has not maintained that pace. Despite ambitious goals announced in 2023 to triple its store count by 2030, company executives signaled a shift in strategy in August, indicating a slowdown in store openings and a focus on cost-cutting measures. The temporary closure of the Chestnut Street store due to health violations adds another layer of challenge for the company as it adapts to these evolving business dynamics and strives to maintain its reputation and customer trust.
