Walgreens Outer Richmond Gets Conditional Pass - Ceiling Fix

Walgreens #03475 in San Francisco's Outer Richmond district received a conditional pass during its September 15 health reinspection, allowing the establishment to continue operations while addressing a minor structural issue in its walk-in cooler area. The grocery market location at 25 Point Lobos Avenue, accessible via the 38 Geary bus line, was cited for one minor violation during the 30-minute inspection conducted by Inspector Jessica Jang between 12:50 PM and 1:20 PM. The conditional pass designation means the facility can remain open to serve customers while making the necessary correction.

Minor Structural Issue Identified

The primary concern identified during this inspection involved a hole discovered in the ceiling of the walk-in cooler area. Inspector Jang noted that the facility operator had already requested a work ticket to address the issue, demonstrating proactive compliance efforts. The violation falls under California Retail Food Code Section 114143 and 114266, which requires floors, walls, and ceilings to be properly built, maintained, and kept clean. The inspector specifically noted that the ceiling hole must be sealed and covered, with explicit instructions not to use spray foam for the repair. This type of structural maintenance issue is considered minor because it does not pose an immediate health risk to customers but requires attention to prevent potential problems. Holes in ceiling areas can potentially allow pest entry and make proper cleaning more difficult, which is why prompt repair is necessary.

Food Safety Preparations Underway

During the reinspection, Inspector Jang observed that the facility operator is awaiting delivery of a food vendor refrigeration unit specifically for perishable ready-to-eat foods. Importantly, the inspector noted that no ready-to-eat foods were present on site at the time of the inspection, indicating responsible inventory management during the transition period. This preparation suggests the facility is expanding or updating its food service capabilities while maintaining appropriate food safety protocols. The absence of ready-to-eat foods during the equipment transition demonstrates the operator's commitment to maintaining proper temperature controls for perishable items.

Follow-up Requirements

The conditional pass includes a mandatory follow-up inspection scheduled for September 29, 2025, giving the facility two weeks to complete the ceiling repair. This timeline is typical for minor maintenance violations and allows adequate time for proper professional repair work to be completed. Inspector Jang can be reached at jessica.jang@sfdph.org for any questions regarding the inspection requirements. The facility representative Helen received the inspection report and violation details directly from the inspector.

Community Access Continues

Customers in the Outer Richmond neighborhood can continue to rely on this Walgreens location for their pharmacy and convenience needs while the minor repair work is completed. The conditional pass status ensures that all current operations meet health safety standards, with only the ceiling repair remaining to achieve full compliance. The facility's location near the 38 Geary bus line makes it an important community resource for residents and visitors to the area. The establishment's phone number (847) 527-4693 remains available for customer inquiries. This reinspection represents the facility's first recorded health inspection in the SF Restaurant Inspections database, indicating either a new establishment or recent changes in operational status that brought it under health department oversight.