Lawrence cafe and coffee shop had to temporarily shut down after roach infestation

Aimee’s Cafe and Coffeehouse, at 1025 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence, temporarily shut down after an Oct. 11 inspection.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture found four priority violations during the inspection, and Aimee’s shut down because it had not ceased operations and notified the KDA of the imminent health hazard of an active pest infestation.

The inspector found 10 roaches under the prep room refrigerator and along baseboards, five roaches along the prep table and counters, about 30 roaches under counters and inside cabinets beneath sinks, and 15 roaches along tubing at the front service counter. The roaches were in the mature, juvenile and baby stages.

According to the report, the person in charge of Aimee’s said they had recently hired three successive pest treatment companies, and had daily cleaned counters, floors and water source areas (dishwasher, refrigerators and sink areas).

The infestation was a repeat violation. Aimee’s temporarily shut down after a June 17 inspection because of a roach infestation. It also had roaches during a follow-up inspection on July 10 and during a July 22 inspection following a complaint.

It had no violations during an Oct. 12 reopening inspection and was allowed to reopen.

“It has not been a pretty year for us and we are doing everything we can to ensure the health of our customers. We have been through multiple pest control companies and our current one is doing an awesome job,” said owner Cary Strong. “I don’t have a defense. We should have done better and we are doing better. We are busting our tails trying to keep things good for our customers.”

He said Aimee’s Cafe and Coffeehouse has been in operation since 1999.

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