A food hall in Calgary has temporarily shut down due to pest issues detected by Alberta Health Services (AHS). First Street Market, situated at 1327 1st St. S.W. in Victoria Park, was ordered to close on Nov. 28 by AHS. The closure directive applies to all vendors within the food hall.
A spokesperson for First Street Market informed CBC News via email that the closure was prompted by a pest investigation that revealed activity within the market. Following a complaint, AHS inspected the food hall and uncovered conditions posing a serious health risk, including a notable cockroach infestation and overall unsanitary conditions.
Despite the findings, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the food hall’s conditions thus far. The closure order will persist until AHS deems it appropriate to lift it. The market is undergoing comprehensive commercial-grade sanitation procedures on all surfaces, food storage areas, and preparation facilities. Subsequent treatment and inspections are in progress, with reopening contingent on AHS confirmation of safety.
Chris Gale, the general manager of Actually Pretty Good, a pizza vendor at the food market, emphasized the importance of vigilance in a multi-vendor setting, where health concerns at one vendor can swiftly impact others. First Street Market commenced operations in 2021.