Queens Dollar Tree ‘invaded’ by rats, residents say

Queens residents say rats have “invaded most perishables” at a Dollar Tree store, leaving droppings on shelving alongside nibbled-open bags of food.

Locals disgusted by the conditions at the Dollar Tree on Crossbay Blvd. in Ozone Park are holding a rally Monday morning, demanding the city Health Department shut the store down.

“I saw THE most deplorable of conditions I have ever seen,” wrote Sam Esposito, president of the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, in a press release announcing the rally. “Rats have invaded most perishables. The rat infestation is so bad that the shelving is filled with rat droppings. Bags of food have holes where rats have been nibbling.”

Photos show evidence of the rodents’ handiwork on the store’s shelves: gnawed-through packs of beef jerky and chips, along with droppings scattered among bags of coffee.

Esposito alleged that the store’s assistant manager “did not even care” that people were buying bags of food with holes in them. He said he’d been unable to reach higher-ups at the discount chain. State Sen. Joseph Addabo’s office has asked the health department to inspect the store, citing complaints from “a number” of constituents.

“We DEMAND that this store be shut down indefinitely until this store is free and clear of all infestations, ALL gondolas are wiped down and cleaned or replaced, and all food is thrown out and replaced effective immediately. There is no more plausible deniability,” Esposito said.

“We will block the entrance if we have to, even going to jail, to keep our residents safe.”

Representatives from Dollar Tree could not be immediately reached for comment. Esposito said that two other Dollar Tree locations in the neighborhood have not been the subject of similar complaints.