CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An NBC Charlotte investigation forces a discount store to close while the state investigates evidence of rats found on the store shelves.
Cynthia goes to the Family Dollar on Tryon near her house several times a week.
"I said, 'Oh my goodness,' walked way over here with my baby and they’re closed."
She was shocked to learn why.
NBC Charlotte got a viewer email-- a tip from a worker-- saying the store was infested with rats, claiming they were selling food with rat feces.
NBC Charlotte called the state, and the state immediately sent inspectors.
"Does it worry you that you were buying food that might have had rats?"
"Yes, yes. I would have left that in the store."
A state spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Protection Agency confirms they “noted evidence of rodent activity in the facility,” including seeing actual rats and finding feces.
"That disgusts me, they carry rabies, don’t want my kids around that."
A spokeswoman for Family Dollar, which is headquartered in Matthews, sent us this statement:
“The safety of our associates and customers is our first priority, and we take situations like this very seriously. At this time, we are working with the owner of the property, the state inspector and pest control services to address any issues."
They say these things can take awhile and they want to make sure it’s taken care of; it could be weeks before the store reopens.