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Canyon Market shut down by health department

September 28, 2022 by Bonnee Waldstein

In a stunning move, the Department of Public Health (DPH) closed Canyon Market for remediation of a rodent infestation. While it was a surprise that it happened today (Wednesday around 4 pm), the situation has been building for well over two years. Owners Janet and Richard Tarlov have emails and exchanges struggling to push the city bureaucracy into action to resolve this public health nuisance.

In February 2020, a new resident on Chenery Street moved in and began to scatter birdseed to feed the pigeons around the village, including the commercial areas as well as the BART station and parking lot. And not dainty handfuls here and there — pounds and pounds, piles and piles of seeds. Her garage is completely filled with huge sacks of birdseed which she pushes in a shopping cart on her missions.

Photo Credit: Janet Tarlov.

“We’ve been asking for help for two-and-a-half years,” said Janet. “On June 1 I was told by DPH that they were going to bait traps in the sewers. Ten days ago I asked what was going on and they said they were waiting for the accounting department to approve the expense. ‘Well, how much longer are we going to have to wait?’ I asked. And they said, “I’m sorry, we don’t know.”

This was just a recent example of the runaround by the multiple city departments who have some hand in solving the problem: The Department of Public Health, BART and the San Francisco Police Department.

In addition, the long vacant Modern Past building is being gutted right in the middle of the commercial corridor, arousing the rodent activity.

DPH is responsible for the mental health needs of the woman dumping the seed and for having the sewers baited where the rats live. BART police are responsible for citing her, as is SFPD, depending on where she does it.  To date, these departments have not coordinated a response.

A 25.8 pound bucket of birdseed — one of many swept up by Canyon Market staff. Photo Credit: Janet Tarlov.

Rats aren’t only “shopping” at Canyon Market. Other merchants are affected as well as the homes of nearby residents.

The closure was triggered by a complaint by one market patron. The market had had a health inspection ten days ago and it passed. The Tarlovs told them then that they were concerned; they asked for help and advice. “This is getting out of control in the whole neighborhood–make this woman stop,” they said.

Photo Credit: Janet Tarlov.

“The inspector found a small amount of rat droppings and pointed out some holes we need to close off with a better material than what we had there which we weren’t aware of previously. For this we were shut down,” said Janet.

“They’ve done nothing. Ironically, only when the inspector came in to shut us down did she say they have a specialist to advise you. I’ve never hidden anything from the health department. I’ve asked for help. What are people going to think? Our reputation for cleanliness is so important to us.”

“Once the rats came, we were on it.” Janet dealt with the city agencies in mounting frustration. She’s also got a broom and bucket on hand. “At the worst I’ve swept up after her three times a day. I’ve swept up 30 lb. in one day.” Richard  is in the market every night sealing up holes and watching rat life on the cameras. He’s added knee pads to his uniform.

Photo Credit: Janet Tarlov.

Pest control people will only seal up the outside of the building. They won’t take any responsibility for what goes on inside.

The situation has also taken a continuing financial toll. Around three months ago the rats got into the compressor which houses the electrical lines that power all the refrigerators. They chewed the wires to the tune of a $5,350 repair bill. Other damages reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.

The Tarlovs say it’s been terrible for the staff, who must clean up, sanitize, unbuild and rebuild the displays. It’s been very stressful.

The Glen Park Association has been working with the Tarlovs by communicating concern to the city agencies. Over two weeks ago, several board members met with Supervisor Mandelman about the lack of help in solving the problem. In light of the closure of the market, the Association has followed  up with a letter demanding action.

“This person is causing the main food source in the neighborhood to be shut down,” Janet lamented.

City, please do your job.

Filed Under: Businesses, Canyon Market

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Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
1 week ago
Glen Park Association

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood!
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments provided
No experience required

#refuserefusesf #glenpark #sanfrancisco #keepSFclean @rafaelmandelmand8 @anhishere @danielluriesf @sfpublicworks @avenuegreenlight #avenuegreenlight
... See MoreSee Less

Save the Date! May 17th, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Join us and help pick up trash & litter in the neighborhood! 
We’re celebrating 3 years of collaborating with @refuserefusesf and the @glen_parkmerchantssf of #keepingGlenParkclean and bringing the #community together!🙌🏽

Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Food and Supplies @critterfritterspetfood 
📍670 Chenery Street

Supplies and refreshments provided
No experience required

#refuserefusesf #glenpark #sanfrancisco #keepSFclean @rafaelmandelmand8 @anhishere @danielluriesf @sfpublicworks @avenuegreenlight #avenuegreenlight
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Glen Park Association is in Glen Park.
1 week ago
Glen Park Association

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at the Glen Park BART station.

📷: Photos courtesy of Bonnee Waldstein

@sfpubliclibrary #glenparksf #glenparksmallbusinessstroll
... See MoreSee Less

Yesterday was a great day at the Glen Park Small Business Stroll presented by the San Francisco Public Library’s Small Business Center and our Glen Park Branch Library!
Participating merchants were @bird.beckett , @perchsf , @theclarktechnique , @pebblescafesf , @glen_park_station_bar and Glen Park historian Evelyn Rose did a BART history talk at  the Glen Park BART station. 

📷: Photos courtesy of Bonnee Waldstein 

@sfpubliclibrary #glenparksf  #glenparksmallbusinessstroll
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Wonder what’s going on with the French restaurant on the corner of Chenery. It never reopened.

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Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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