Mom's Organic Market in Hampden Closes After Rodent Infestation Found

Baltimore City Health Department inspectors ordered the Mom's Organic Market at The Rotunda in Hampden closed Wednesday after finding mouse droppings scattered throughout the store, including in the poultry cooler, and food products showing evidence of chewing.

Health inspector Josh Gruver was on-site from 10:25 a.m. to 1:32 p.m. Wednesday, according to an inspection report. Inspectors found "mouse droppings and several food products with evidence of chewing," Blair Adams, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Health Department, said in an email. No rats were observed during the inspection, Adams added.

An inspection report obtained by WJZ documented that pest control had already found five dead mice and some cockroaches on glue pads in the back of the market on March 5. When inspectors returned Wednesday, they found candy bars chewed by rodents and mouse droppings in the candy aisle, under shelves in the bulk food section, and under aisles throughout the store. The report advises the facility to clean and sanitize all surfaces and then call emergency pest control to check for any remaining rodents.

Thursday morning, rain fell on shoppers who arrived at the Rotunda around 9 a.m., the store's usual opening hour, only to find the doors locked. An employee standing at the entrance turned customers away, telling them the store had been shut down because of rats. The employee said an inspector was expected to return that afternoon and that the store could reopen if it passed; as of 3 p.m. Thursday, it remained closed. A Baltimore City Health Department sign was posted on the door, and the city's online list of 2026 food closures cites rodent infestation as the reason for the Rotunda location's closure.

Under Baltimore City public health rules, emergency closures are triggered by imminent public health hazards, including live pests, fresh droppings, or other conditions that could contaminate food. To reopen, Mom's must correct the violations and pass a reinspection. The Baltimore City Health Department will determine when the store clears that threshold.

The Rotunda location sits alongside a Starbucks, Ovenbird Bakery, and Warehouse Cinemas in the Hampden shopping complex. Mom's operates more than 10 locations across Maryland and two in Washington. The company had not responded to requests for comment as of the time of reporting.