Brown Deer Pick 'n Save to reopen after mercury spill forces evacuation
Updated: April 1
BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Pick 'n Save store in Brown Deer, that was forced to temporarily close due to a hazmat situation, has been given the all clear by the health department to reopen.
According to the North Shore Health Department, in response to a mercury spill on March 29, the store worked to clean and test the air quality and was able to mitigate the hazard.
Pick 'n Save employed a third-party team of experts to ensure all areas of the store were safe for the public.
The store said in a statement, they will reopen at 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 2:
Our Pick ‘n Save Brown Deer location is preparing to reopen at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2. Providing a safe shopping experience is our top priority and cleanup operations were successful. Testing and air monitoring have been completed to the satisfaction of the North Shore Health Department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The substance found on Friday originated outside of the store and this is now an active investigation being handled by the Brown Deer Police Department. To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will be referring all further inquiries to them.
We extend our gratitude to the first responders and supporting teams including North Shore Fire Department, Milwaukee Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, North Shore Environmental Construction, North Shore Health Department, Brown Deer Police Department and our associates for their rapid response and continued partnership.
We also thank the community for their patience and support, we look forward to seeing everyone in-store soon.
Updated: March 30
BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- One day after the emergency evacuation of the Pic N' Save store in Brown Deer, the store remains closed.
Almost everyone CBS 58 spoke to was there to get last minute groceries the day before Easter, before being turned away from security.
One person said she shops at Pic N' Save 5-6 times a week because it was reliable.
We are so used to just stores going out of our neighborhood. We used to always shop at the grocery store that were located close to 60th and Brown Deer, but they kept closing and closing and we started coming here and now we got the same issue, so," said Jewel Payne, Pic N' Save shopper.
Investigators still do not know where the mercury came from.
Pic N' Save is directing people to other locations and hopes to reopen as soon as possible.
BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An unusual hazmat situation has shut down a Pick 'n Save store in Brown Deer.
Mercury was discovered in a garbage can.
Crews were called to the store on 9200 N. Green Bay Road when the mercury was discovered.
The store was closed, and the 20 employees working there at the time have been tested for mercury levels. One had a higher level than normal. The individual was evaluated and treated on scene by paramedics.
Investigators don't know where the mercury came from, and the North Shore Fire chief was asked about any shoppers who were at the store Friday morning.
"People come and go, so we have trouble. We're not really able to identify people," said Chief Robert Whitaker, North Shore Fire & Rescue. "If people think they have been- if they're concerned about that they were in the store around the time and saw anything- they should contact their health care provider to see what would be the best case to move forward for themselves."
According to the North Shore Fire and Rescue, crews remained on scene for about seven hours. They say that the scene has been turned over to Pic N' Save and a private contractor for further cleanup and testing. The store plans to reopen as soon as possible.
