Health Department Temporarily Shuts Down Popcorn Shop at Las Vegas Strip Casino

Garrett Popcorn Shops at Planet Hollywood cited for multiple violations, while new restaurant concept announced for former Pepper Club space.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) temporarily closed the Garrett Popcorn Shops location at the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip after the shop received 14 demerits during a routine inspection. Meanwhile, a new restaurant concept called KJ's is set to replace the former Pepper Club at the English Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.

Why it matters

The closure of the Garrett Popcorn Shops location highlights the ongoing scrutiny and high standards that food establishments on the Las Vegas Strip must meet to remain open. The announcement of a new restaurant replacing the Pepper Club also signals continued evolution in the city's dining landscape.

The details

The Garrett Popcorn Shops location was cited for issues including inadequate backflow prevention, improper wastewater and sewage disposal, lack of food protection from cross-contamination, and insufficient handwashing facilities. Businesses closed by the SNHD can request a reinspection to reopen once the issues are corrected. Meanwhile, the new KJ's restaurant concept is being developed by former Station Casinos culinary operations manager Kevin Jeffers, who plans to offer a 'modern American restaurant and social bar' experience.

  • On February 18, 2026, the Garrett Popcorn Shops location was inspected and received 14 demerits from the SNHD.
  • The Pepper Club restaurant at the English Hotel closed in December 2025.

The players

Garrett Popcorn Shops

A gourmet popcorn shop chain established in Chicago in 1949, specializing in hand-crafted, small-batch popcorn.

Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD)

The public health agency responsible for inspecting and regulating food establishments in Southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas Strip.

Kevin Jeffers

A former culinary operations manager for Station Casinos, who is developing a new restaurant concept called KJ's to replace the former Pepper Club at the English Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.

Pepper Club

A restaurant that previously occupied the space at the English Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, which closed in December 2025.

English Hotel

A hotel in downtown Las Vegas that previously housed the Pepper Club restaurant.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Garrett Popcorn Shops location will need to correct the issues cited by the SNHD and request a reinspection in order to reopen.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges food establishments on the Las Vegas Strip face in maintaining high health and safety standards, while also signaling the continued evolution of the city's dining landscape with the announcement of a new restaurant concept to replace the former Pepper Club.