HOLLAND, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – A West Michigan restaurant owner who spent four days in jail last spring and faced a five-month shutdown by the state for defying its COVID-19 restrictions can reopen her business.

A judge signed an order allowing Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in Holland to reopen.

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The owner, Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, set a September 21st reopening date since she said she needs a few weeks to find enough employees.

Michigan State Police troopers arrested Pavlos-Hackney on her way to work in March. The state suspended her food license after she continued indoor dining despite restrictions imposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). That included a “three-week pause” that forced restaurant and bars into take-out only services and limited capacity restrictions until July 2021.

Pavlos-Hackney said she’s grateful for the judge’s order, but she’s not finished fighting the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Polish immigrant said she believes state leaders don’t have the power to enforce the rules, and that the power belongs to the people.