Sacramento’s Corti Brothers market reopens after coronavirus infection forced closure
Longtime East Sacramento grocery store Corti Brothers reopened Sunday after closing Friday. Someone who had been inside the store “regularly” had tested positive for the coronavirus, the store reported.
A white sign posted on the front of the market Friday said there was a positive test for COVID-19 “from someone who has been inside our market regularly.” The parking lot of family-run operation at Folsom Boulevard and 59th Street was empty Friday afternoon.
Rick Mindermann, the store’s director, wrote on Facebook on Sunday: “We reopened yesterday after being closed 38 hours and a complete premises electrostatic disinfection.”
The grocery store — which specializes in high-end imports, fresh-made sandwiches and an extensive beer selection — has run in Sacramento since 1947 and at its spot on Folsom Boulevard since 1970.
The sign on the door tells visitors the store expects to reopen as quickly as possible.
“We are following all proper guidance to clean our premises. We will reopen as soon as all protocols have been completed,” said the sign from the Corti family and staff.
A reporter with The Sacramento Bee visited the store on Friday afternoon and asked to speak to a store representative about the closure. The employee said he would find a store manager and went inside, but he never returned. Nobody else came out to speak to the reporter.
It was unclear who was infected with the virus the led to the temporary closure. The sign outside did not specify whether an employee, a supply vendor or a customer who is regularly in the store has been infected with COVID-19.
The store’s front windows are covered with plywood, expect for a small hole on one of the front doors. Employees could be seen working in the store, including a few who briefly stared outside at the reporter waiting before returning to their duties.
The reporter called the store later to and an employee named Patrick answered the managers’ phone line. He refused to provide his last name and declined to discuss who was infected with the virus or any other details about what led to the closure.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 3:44 PM.
