Swiss Chalet seeking new location after closure

TheSwiss 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 healthinspection in mid-December showed that rodent feces had been foundthroughout the building, in the kitchen, dining room and storage areas.

Swiss Chalet said at that time that it believed therodents, which the government identified as mice,could be blamed on a combination of weather andactivity 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 StavangerDrive shopping district, showed no problems.