Fortuna’s Hot Brew Back Open After One-Day Shutdown Over Rodent Activity

Hot Brew, a popular eatery located at 904 S. Fortuna Boulevard, was temporarily closed by Humboldt County’s Division of Environmental Health after inspectors found widespread evidence of rodent activity during a complaint investigation on March 26, 2026.

The inspection, conducted in response to a complaint case, documented rodent droppings on shelves and floors throughout the kitchen, front counter areas, and front storage room, county documents revealed. Inspectors also found that rodents had chewed into two loaves of bread on the bread rack. The most significant findings came from a back storage hallway and area — referred to in the report as the “graveyard” — where inspectors characterized the rodent droppings as extensive, particularly under and around equipment.

Citing California Health & Safety Code Section 114310, the county determined the conditions constituted an imminent health hazard and immediately suspended the facility’s retail food permit. The permit holder, Cherie Anaya, was informed that she had the right to request a hearing in writing within 15 calendar days.

To earn reinstatement, Hot Brew was required to contract a licensed pest control service for at least bi-weekly visits, thoroughly clean and sanitize all food storage and service areas affected by droppings, store all food items in rodent-proof containers at the close of each business day, cover and protect all dishes, utensils, and food equipment at closing, clean and sanitize all work surfaces before beginning operations each day, and identify and seal all vermin entry points.

A reinspection on March 27, 2026 — just one day later — found that critical food contact surfaces, food storage areas, food handling and prep zones, warewashing stations, and dish and utensil storage areas had been cleaned and sanitized, and showed no signs of ongoing rodent activity. The facility’s permit was reinstated on that date, though inspectors noted that some rodent droppings were still observed on floors in the dishroom, kitchen, and server’s station at the start of the reinspection. Those areas were addressed by the time the report was written.

The reinstatement came with several ongoing conditions, including mandatory bi-weekly licensed pest control service, rodent-proof food storage, daily surface sanitation, and regular reporting of pest control service results to the county. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for on or after April 1, 2026.

Additionally, the county identified five items that must be completed within 30 days as conditions of continued operation: cleaning and sanitizing remaining floor locations where droppings were observed, performing a deep cleaning of floors, walls, and equipment in the kitchen and dish room, having a qualified HVAC contractor perform an air balance test on the hood and make corrections, removing all unused equipment and materials from the facility, and organizing all stored items to facilitate ongoing cleaning and pest monitoring.