Erewhon Santa Monica Shuttered by LA Well being Division for Cockroach Infestation

A complete new set of followers are swarming to get their arms on the $20 Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Pores and skin Erewhon smoothie — roaches. Curbed reported on April 10, 2025, that the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being discovered a “main” violation at Erewhon’s Santa Monica Wilshire Boulevard location in a latest inspection; the violation report additionally populated in a single day in a Reddit thread. Erewhon, based in Boston in 1966, is a well being grocery retailer cum luxurious procuring expertise recognized for its superstar clientele, exorbitantly priced dry items, natural produce, and a few of the most effective smoothies in Los Angeles. Lately, collaborations for its $20-plus smoothies have included such well-known people as Sabrina Carpenter, Lalisa Manobal, and Nara Smith.

Usually, main well being code violations of this type result in speedy momentary closures of the eating institution, although different interactions have been additionally listed on this report dated April 8, 2025. A minor violation concerned “Time as a Public Well being Management,” which occurs when meals will get left exterior of correct storage or temperature for greater than 4 hours or when a written process has not been maintained. Different violations on the report included plumbing, unclean non-food-contact surfaces, and insufficient air flow or lighting. In response to the location, as of Thursday, April 10, the Santa Monica Erewhon location stays open, and the tonic bar was briefly closed.

In a follow-up assertion to Eater LA, a consultant from Erewhon wrote that the shop “sincerely apologizes” for the lapse in requirements and that the well being and security of shoppers is a “high precedence.” The assertion additionally says that the shop has weekly visits from pest management, and voluntarily closed the tonic bar after the inspection. As of two:45 p.m. on April 10, the well being division had accomplished a reinspection and the tonic bar is open.

Matthew Kang

Cockroach infestations are nothing new to Los Angeles eating places. Iconic eateries Casa Vega, 101 Noodle Categorical, Philippe’s, and Rainbow Bar and Grill have been all briefly shuttered by the well being division previously for vermin issues. Even the “by no means closed” Unique Pantry Cafe was shut down by the well being division in 2019 for a cockroach infestation.

In an announcement offered to Curbed, Erewhon confirmed {that a} cockroach had been present in its tonic bar however didn’t specify how lengthy it had been dwelling a life-style that Gwyneth Paltrow would most likely envy. (Perhaps the roach paying again lease is a dialog nonetheless to come back.) Erewhon informed Curbed that it “instantly took motion” and anticipated the well being division to re-inspect quickly in order that the tonic bar can reopen (hopefully) bug-free. Though Erewhon is understood for its ingenious elements in smoothies, just like the colostrum in Sofia Richie’s signature drink, eau d’roach does appear a bit too far for the infamous grocery retailer. Hopefully, the unwelcome visitor acquired one final style of the Coconut Cloud on the best way out.

—Further reporting by Matthew Kang

Up to date April 10, 2025 at 2:50 p.m.: This story has been up to date to incorporate a further assertion from Erewhon concerning the reopening of the tonic bar.