The door to Luigi’s Pizza in Mount Forest remains locked on a Friday afternoon, typically their busiest time of the week. Through the glass, chairs sit upturned on tables, and the pizza oven—usually radiating warmth and the scent of baking dough—stands cold and silent. A notice from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is taped prominently to the entrance, its official letterhead visible to disappointed customers who approach only to turn away.
“My kids have been coming here since they were little,” says Anne Mercer, a local resident who arrived hoping to pick up her family’s traditional end-of-week dinner. “The health thing is concerning, of course, but I feel for the owners too. Small businesses in towns like ours don’t have much margin for error.“
Luigi’s Pizza was ordered closed on October 15 following a public health inspection that revealed critical food safety violations, according to information posted on the health unit’s website. The notice cites concerns related to food temperature control, sanitization procedures, and pest control measures that posed “an immediate health hazard” to the public.
For Mount Forest, a community of just over 5,000 residents northwest of Guelph, the closure of even one food establishment ripples through the local economy and social fabric. The pizza shop has operated for nearly two decades under different owners, serving as both a quick lunch spot for workers from nearby factories and a Friday night tradition for many families.
Thomas Wong, a food safety specialist with the University of Guelph who is not connected to this specific case, explains that health closures typically occur only after other intervention methods have been exhausted. “Public health inspectors prefer education and working collaboratively with business owners,” Wong says. “A closure order usually indicates either serious violations or a pattern of non-compliance that couldn’t be resolved through normal channels.”
The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health website shows the establishment had been cited for several infractions during previous inspections, though none had triggered a shutdown until now. Records indicate issues with food handling practices and cleaning protocols had been noted at least twice in the past year.
Inside the Mount Forest Bakery across the street, owner Marianne Kovacs has noticed the impact on her own business. “We’ve had more people coming in for lunch this week, asking if we have anything savory since Luigi’s is closed,” she shares while arranging fresh pastries in her display case. “It’s not how any of us want to get more customers though. This town needs all its businesses to succeed.“
The health unit requires establishments to address all violations and pass a comprehensive reinspection before they can reopen. This process typically takes at least several days, but can stretch longer depending on the severity of the issues and the resources available to the business owner to implement necessary changes.
For workers at the pizza shop, the closure means unexpected loss of income. Darren McNeil, who identifies himself as a part-time delivery driver for Luigi’s, expressed concern when approached outside the restaurant. “I’ve got a mortgage payment coming up, and this job is my second income that makes ends meet,” he explains. “The owner is doing everything possible to fix things quickly, but it’s stressful for everyone.”
Health officials maintain that temporary closures, while difficult for businesses and communities, are essential tools for protecting public health. According to Statistics Canada, foodborne illnesses affect approximately four million Canadians each year, with restaurant and food service establishments being common sources of exposure.
The Luigi’s closure has sparked conversations throughout Mount Forest about food safety and the challenges of maintaining small restaurants in rural communities. At the local hardware store, a group of retirees who meet for morning coffee discussed the news.
“People forget these family businesses operate on tight margins,” says retired contractor William Ellison. “Meeting all the health codes costs money, and with food prices what they are now, plus staff shortages, I can see how things might slip. Not saying it’s right, but I understand the pressure they’re under.“
Public health officials declined to provide specific details about the violations while remediation is underway, citing their protocol of working directly with establishment owners during the correction process. However, they confirmed that information about the closure and eventual reopening will be updated on their public inspection website.
The provincial food premises regulation sets out specific requirements for food temperatures, sanitization procedures, employee hygiene practices, and pest control—all designed to prevent foodborne illness. Establishments can face fines in addition to closure orders if violations are deemed willful or repetitive.
As the weekend approaches—typically the busiest time for pizza sales—the lights remain off at Luigi’s. The health unit’s website states they will conduct a follow-up inspection once the owner notifies them that all issues have been addressed.
For now, Mount Forest residents will need to find alternatives for their pizza cravings, while the business works to meet health standards and reopen its doors to a community that, despite concerns, seems ready to welcome them back.
