Sears Fine Food Fails with Rodent Droppings Found in Storage

Sears Fine Food, the historic restaurant at 439 Powell Street in Tenderloin, failed its routine health inspection on September 11 after inspectors discovered extensive evidence of rodent activity throughout the facility's basement storage areas. The most serious violation involved rodent droppings found scattered across the basement floor, particularly concentrated around dry storage shelving on both the right and left sides of the area. Inspectors noted heavy contamination near the rack storing canned tomato goods, indicating prolonged rodent activity in areas where food ingredients are stored.

Health Violations Found

Inspector Sophia Huie documented four violations during the morning inspection, with two classified as critical health risks. The rodent infestation posed immediate health dangers, as mice produce up to 50 droppings daily containing dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus. The second critical violation revealed multiple structural openings throughout the facility that allowed pest entry. Inspectors found gaps in basement walls under the staircase, around the dish machine, and at the right side wall near the stairs. Additional openings were discovered around dish machines on the ground floor, creating numerous entry points for rodents and other pests. The restaurant also received violations for improper food storage practices. Bulk containers holding flour, sugar, and other dry goods lacked tight-fitting lids, leaving ingredients vulnerable to contamination. Wiping cloths were improperly stored on food prep counters and cutting boards, creating cross-contamination risks.

Inspection Details

The inspection occurred between 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM, giving inspectors nearly two hours to thoroughly examine the Powell Street establishment. Located near Powell St BART/Muni station, the restaurant serves a high volume of tourists and downtown workers who depend on food safety standards. Health officials ordered immediate remediation measures, including thorough removal of all rodent droppings from basement floors, followed by comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing. The restaurant must work with licensed pest control operators to eliminate the infestation and seal all structural openings with approved rodent-proof materials.

Previous Inspection History

This inspection marks the first documented health evaluation for Sears Fine Food in available records, making the extent of violations particularly concerning. The lack of previous inspection history suggests potential oversight gaps that allowed conditions to deteriorate. The restaurant remained open despite failing the inspection, as no immediate closure order was issued. However, the facility must address all violations promptly to avoid potential enforcement actions. The rodent infestation poses serious health risks including foodborne illness transmission, particularly dangerous given the restaurant's location in the busy Tenderloin district. Customers who visited Sears Fine Food recently should monitor for symptoms of foodborne illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The presence of rodent contamination in food storage areas creates significant risk for bacterial transmission to prepared meals. The restaurant must schedule a follow-up inspection to verify compliance with all corrective measures before receiving a passing grade from San Francisco Department of Public Health officials.