Market Remains Open as Judge Stays Injunction

In the latest chapter in a long-running battle, a court order forcing California Market to shut down its Garden Grove store was put on hold Thursday, just a day after the hard-won injunction pushed by state labor officials was issued.

An Orange County Superior Court judge stayed the preliminary injunction after the controversial supermarket chain produced additional evidence that its Garden Grove market is carrying workers’ compensation insurance. The judge, C. Robert Jameson, set a hearing for next Wednesday.

Since spring, the state Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has alleged that some of California Market’s six stores, including the one in Garden Grove, are not properly covered by workers’ compensation insurance. After weeks of legal proceedings, the state finally obtained an order Wednesday forcing the Garden Grove supermarket to shut down.

But managers of the controversial grocery chain, one of the largest Asian food markets in the state, continued to operate the store, insisting they have the necessary insurance. And on Thursday, the two sides were back in court as California Market sought to dissolve Wednesday’s preliminary injunction.

Douglas Winter, an attorney for California Market, said the remaining issue is whether the name on the insurance policy accurately identifies the Garden Grove supermarket. Winter described that as a technical glitch that could easily be corrected before next week’s hearing.

Rick Rice, a spokesman for the state labor agency, blamed California Market for the legal fray. “All we wanted all this time was proof of insurance. Maybe this will move matters to a head,” he said.