The commissary at Twentynine Palms, California, is back in business after being closed for 10 days because of a rat problem.

The store reopened Saturday to a long line of customers, according to Kevin Robinson, spokesman for the Defense Commissary Agency. It’s been open every day since under its normal operating schedule.

Marine Maj. Gen. William F. Mullen III, commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, approved the reopening based on inspection results of military food inspectors.

Pest control contractors eliminated the rats. Army veterinarians found evidence of a significant infestation of rodents in the produce department and bakery/deli on Oct. 11, prompting the base commander to order the store closed.

After those pest control contractors gave commissary officials clearance to move into areas that were showing no rodent activity, the commissary got a deep cleaning.

Lt. Col. Alisa Wilma, DeCA’s director of public health and safety, said the commissary had “a small army of store associates deep cleaning coolers, freezers, display areas and floors before any products were restocked.”

Equipment that had been taken apart for inspection, cleaning and rodent monitoring also had to be reassembled and prepared for store operation. Products in the store were inspected and cleaned.

The store was also open Monday, although it’s normally closed on Mondays. As part of the reopening, the commissary agency and its suppliers offered special deals.

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“We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate the patience of our patrons at Twentynine Palms during this store closure,” said Keith Hagenbuch, the commissary agency’s executive director for store operations. “We regret any inconvenience to them. Our job, for this store and all our commissaries worldwide, is to deliver our patrons’ benefit in the healthiest, safest manner possible.”

Commissary employees sold a limited number of items outside the store Oct. 18-20, including milk, eggs, bread, beverages, water, cereal, snacks, paper products and detergent, all of which had been inspected by military food inspectors.