Swiss Chalet seeking new location after closure

The Swiss Chalet restaurant chain has decided not to re-open a St. John's outlet that closed this year after health inspectors found it had been infested with mice.

Swiss Chalet closed its restaurant on Kenmount Road in December, emphasizing that it had made the decision voluntarily and noting that the closure was temporary.

But the Toronto-based chain has decided not to reopen at the building, where health inspectors had found significant cause for concern.

"We are looking forward to re-opening in the Kenmount area and are in the final stages of securing an alternative site in the market that will be able to serve our valued guests for many years to come," the company said in an email to CBC News.

A health inspection in mid-December showed that rodent feces had been found throughout the building, in the kitchen, dining room and storage areas.

Swiss Chalet said at that time that it believed the rodents, which the government identified as mice, could be blamed on a combination of weather and activity at nearby construction site.

Inspections also showed significant structural problems with the building, including the discovery of what appeared to be mould in a staff washroom.

Inspections of another Swiss Chalet restaurant, in the Stavanger Drive shopping district, showed no problems.