Rat Warnings At Cafe Aroma False, Owner Says

Businesses in downtown Winnetka received a flyer Monday warning about rats in Cafe Aroma's kitchen, but the claims turned out to be false after a health inspection.

Mitra Ryndak, owner of Cafe Aroma, said the business was inspected Tuesday and no signs of an infestation were found. Other businesses in the area may be inspected in the near future, Ryndak said. A letter following the inspection was submitted to village officials and the , Ryndak said.

Ryndak said whoever distributed the flyers may be seeking to taint her business.

"This is very overboard of somebody doing this," she said. "It must be competitive because nobody is cruel enough to do this."

Ryndak said a businessowner in the neighborhood showed her the flyer Monday morning, which warns of rats and associated illness. She said she notified village officials and the Winnetka police.