The owner of a Decatur-area restaurant has decided to reopen his eatery after closing it three weeks ago because rats that were traced to a pet store next door had invaded his place.
"We've decided to move forward" after working out a few details, and will reopen in the beginning of the year, said Aaron Melton, who voluntarily closed Melton's App and Tap at 2500 N. Decatur Road in the Medlock Plaza shopping center on Nov. 6 after a customer spotted a rat there.
Melton said he had never had a rat problem in the 17 years his restaurant had been opened until July, when his employees discovered signs of the rodents. The shopping center owner hired a pest specialist who traced the rats to the Pet Supermarket next door, where rodents had gotten into pet food, Melton said.
Melton eventually went to court and got a judge’s injunction shutting Pet Supermarket down on Oct. 20. The store was ordered to remain closed until it eradicated the rat problem.
Last Wednesday, A DeKalb Superior Court Judge ruled that the pet store could reopen after hearing that the store had done all that was necessary to resolve the rat problem and to keep them out of Melton's. He instructed the pet store not to throw loose pet food in trash receptacles outside.
Attempts to reach officials at the Pet Supermarket for comment were unsuccessful.
Melton, who had estimated that the entire episode would cost him more than $100,000, said he has been working to safeguard his restaurant against the rodents.
"We've gone on the roof, and removed ceiling tiles and dry wall to make sure all entry points have been sealed," he said. He said everyone in the area needs to do his or her part to resolve the rodent problem.
"We've been acting very responsible," Melton said. "We've been shouting from the rooftop that everyone has to do their part."
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