SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Two restaurants in Lakeview Plaza, along with Plaza owners, have been taking steps to abate pests after the El Dorado County Community Development Agency (CDA) Environmental Management Department found cockroach activity on the week of July 27.
Ha Noi Pho and Freshies Ohana both closed their doors. Ha Noi Pho has not yet been able to reopen, while Freshies was able to quickly reopen.
“Ha Noi Pho was not able to reopen after three reinspections over the weekend, and one reinspection on Monday, August 3, due to the presence of live cockroaches still present in [the] food prep area of the facility,” said Carla B. Hass, Chief Communications and Emergency Liaison Officer with El Dorado County.
Despite several attempts to reach out to Ha Noi Pho, including a visit to their restaurant, they did not provide us with a statement.
Freshies was given the clear to open their doors no more than 48 hours after addressing the pests and eliminating activity by sealing all gaps, cracks, crevices and holes in the ceilings, walls, and entry points.
Ivette Cortez, owner of Freshies Ohana, said that before her family became owners in 2021, her husband was part of Freshies since 2003, and throughout the years, the restaurant has maintained a strong reputation for cleanliness, food safety, and caring for their customers.
“Freshies is one of several businesses affected by a building-wide pest issue. This issue is not isolated to our restaurant, and we have been impacted along with the other businesses in the building,” said Cortez. “The health and safety of our customers and employees has always been, and will continue to be, our highest priority.”
The Tribune reached out to experts in pest control, Aimee and Dan Dhondt, owners of Lakeside Termite and Pest Control who, after serving the Lake Tahoe region for over 20 years, say that building-wide attempts to abate must ensue in order to eliminate activity in a commercial, multi-unit complex like Lakeview Plaza.
“It only makes sense to treat the interiors, preventatively, of other adjacent units, otherwise it’s going to spread. It’ll be too easy for one [cockroach] to simply migrate through, looking for something, and then decide to set up house,” said Dan Dhondt.
Cockroaches seek shelters that provide ample food and water sources, making restaurants extremely attractive. Kitchen appliances like stoves and microwaves are warm, easily accessible and offer tight hiding spaces.
Aimee Dhondt noted that infestations could also occur from food suppliers who typically store food in giant warehouses where fumigation is not an option. All it takes is one contaminated crate delivery to spread an infestation.
While tracing where the infestation started or came from is highly difficult and complex, the only recommendation now would be to address the entire building.
After contacting the current owners of Lakeview Plaza, Arman Estates LLC, they told the Tribune, “We are taking care of the issue.”
