Reports of mice at local Starbucks

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - Customers are reacting with shock, to photographs tweeted to FOX 29, that appear to show mice running amok at the Philadelphia Starbucks coffee shop at 20th and Callowhill.

"Oh my God! That's disgusting," said customer Andrea Childs when shown the pictures by FOX 29's Bruce Gordon. "I think I want to return the bagel I just purchased!"

An apartment dweller who lives near the Starbucks says he snapped the pictures with his camera phone late Thursday night, after the coffee shop closed.

He asked that we not identify him, but said he has seen mice in the store before.

In one photo, a mouse can be seen sitting on the floor.

In another, the mouse appears to be playing hide-and-go-seek on a pastry rack.

And in still another, a mouse on the pastry rack appears to be stretching to get a better look at what else there is to explore.

Gordon showed the pictures to the Starbucks morning manager.

After an initial, "Oh my God!" she told Gordon they had had reports of mice a few weeks ago, and that she had ordered the front doors be resealed, and that traps be set out.

She said she thought the problem had been resolved.

The Philadelphia Health department last inspected this Starbucks back in July.

Several minor violations were noted, but as for rodent infestation--nothing.

The facility was in compliance.

But after Gordon's visit, he noticed a Starbucks employee out front, moving the trash cans out from against the store and giving the area a thorough cleaning.

In a written statement, Starbucks' corporate office says "pest control has been on site today to address the issue. We want to reassure our customers that our stores take rigorous steps to ensure the safety of the food we serve, and there should be no cause for concern around potential contamination."

It's a start, but customers Gordon spoke to were not happy to see Mickey and Minnie having the run of their favorite coffee shop during the overnight hours.

"Very disturbing," said Howard Kruger of the photos. "Not what I want to see, to say the least!"