Holland restaurant shut down for COVID-19 rule violations to reopen after five months

A West Michigan restaurant shuttered for five months after refusing to conform to state COVID-19 rules will reopen this month. 

Ingham County Circuit decide Wanda Stokes signed an order this week enabling the restaurant to reopen about a month after Marlena's Bistro and Pizzeria regained its meals license, mentioned Robert Baker, the legal professional for proprietor Marlena Pavlos-Hackney. 

Pavlos-Hackney posted on social media Thursday night that she deliberate to reopen Sept. 21. The open date will enable Pavlos-Hackney time to order food and rehire and educate personnel for the restaurant, Baker referred to. 

"There is still a felony battle ahead, as we've filed an enchantment with the Michigan court docket of Appeals," Pavlos-Hackney said. "here's removed from being over!"

The appeal presently pending seeks an order discovering that Pavlos-Hackney's due system rights have been violated March 19 when she become arrested and jailed for working her restaurant after having her meals license revoked via the state. The appeal also seeks an "correct" transcript of the raucous March 19 hearing in entrance of Ingham County Circuit choose Rosemarie Aquilina, Baker said. 

once she has that transcript, Pavlos-Hackney plans to sue the state in federal court docket for violating her constitutional rights, Baker spoke of. 

Pavlos-Hackney spent 4 nights in jail in March following the hearing with Aquilina, who pointed out the restaurant owner had "selfishly now not adopted the orders."

"You've no longer followed them in your personal financial profit and curiously for the publicity that incorporates it," Aquilina mentioned.

The restaurant's state license changed into revoked in February since the company changed into not requiring masks, social distancing or capacity limits consistent with state epidemic orders. but Pavlos-Hackney continued to operate with out a license.

Pavlos-Hackney become arrested March 19 after refusing to turn herself in to face a contempt listening to. 

Baker, who wasn't hired until Pavlos-Hackney changed into arrested, stated Aquilina puzzled her without recognizing that she had a attorney. He pointed out there changed into "no testing of any proof" or a chance to go-check or produce witnesses.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com