Two 99 Ranch supermarkets in South Bay close temporarily following rodent infestations

Two 99 Ranch Market stores in the South Bay Area have been ordered to temporarily close in recent weeks following reports of vermin infestations.

A Milpitas branch of the Asian supermarket chain located at 338 Barber Lane has remained closed since Monday, when its permit was suspended by the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health due to vermin issues, despite passing a limited inspection the week prior.

The health department ordered the closure last week of another store, located at 10983 North Wolfe Road in Cupertino, after inspectors found rodent droppings in its bakery, deli, and warehouse. Health officials cleared the store to reopen this week.

The violations for both stores were issued after the health department received complaints from the public, the Department of Environmental Health told this news organization.

“The department is committed to protecting the public’s health and supports food establishments to resolve issues quickly and safely,” the DEH wrote.

The temporary shutdowns come as another major Cupertino supermarket – Whole Foods – remains closed after inspectors found evidence of rodent and cockroach infestations in April.

99 Ranch Market operates six locations in the South Bay. Its other Cupertino store, located at 10425 De Anza Boulevard, passed its most recent inspection in January.

The supermarket’s Mountain View location was flagged last week for issues with tagging and hand washing supplies in its seafood section, though the store passed a follow-up inspection the next day. The store’s two San Jose locations both passed their most recent inspections in December 2024.

Tawa Supermarket Inc., the Southern California-based parent company of 99 Ranch Market, did not respond to a request for comment.