Five Below Chestnut Street Closed Due to Rodent Infestation
On December 2nd, health inspectors found evidence of mice at the Five Below store located at 16th and Chestnut Streets, prompting its closure. The basement contained dead mice, while mouse droppings were found in areas where chips and popcorn were stored, along with 22 food bags with gnawed holes.
Following the inspection, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health mandated a 48-hour closure along with approval needed for reopening. A subsequent reinspection on December 5th revealed ongoing issues with mouse droppings, gnawed bags of snacks, damaged floor tiles, unsealed utility lines, and stained ceiling tiles.
To resume operations, Five Below must pay a fee and gain approval from the Public Health Department. This closure is not the first for the Chestnut Street store, as previous violations in July included dead mice, a customer with a dog inside, and used needles in the dumpster area.
The store on Chestnut Street, opened in 2015, is less than a mile from the company’s headquarters at 701 Market Street. Another store at 701 Market also faced rodent droppings in September but rectified the issue before an October reinspection. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment on the current situation.
Amidst these challenges, Five Below is undergoing leadership changes with the recent appointment of Winnie Park as CEO, succeeding interim CEO Kenneth Bull. Previous CEO Joel D. Anderson departed in July after disappointing profit reports. The company had previously aimed to triple its store count by 2030 but has since adjusted plans due to performance concerns.
Despite experiencing growth during the pandemic while other retailers struggled, Five Below is now reassessing its strategy. With over 1,500 stores, the company’s focus is on improving operations to maintain its market position moving forward.
