First Street Market allowed to reopen after 'cockroach infestation': AHS

The closure of Calgary food hall First Street Market has been lifted by Alberta Health Services (AHS), a spokesperson told CBC News.

AHS rescinded all closure orders for the food hall's vendors on Thursday, nearly two weeks after being shut down on Nov. 28 due to what was identified at the time as "pest activity," but it's not clear when the food hall will reopen.

"Our vendors are working hard to prepare their spaces to serve our valued customers," a spokesperson for the food hall said in a statement. "We will have specific details about our reopening available on our social media channels very soon."

None of the food hall's vendors have provided comment to CBC News.

'Cockroach infestation'

According to one of the AHS closure orders, "a severe cockroach infestation" in the food hall "was impacting all vendors."

The closure orders point to the presence of dead cockroaches and frass, or insect excrement, in some stalls, as well as poor sanitation and buildup of debris.

A can of Raid, a cockroach pesticide, was found in one stall, which AHS called a violation of the regulation requiring chemicals and cleaners to be stored in a way that prevents contamination of food or food areas.

"We take the safety and cleanliness of our market very seriously," First Street Market said in a statement, adding that the food hall worked with AHS and pest control specialists to deal with the infestation.

"Our vendors are reviewing supply chain practices as an added layer of diligence, recognizing that pests can enter commercial environments through a variety of external sources and that issues such as this can develop very quickly," the statement reads.

First Street Market, located at 1327 1st St. S.W. in Victoria Park, first opened in 2021.