Grocery Store In Hoboken Shut By State Of NJ For 'Various Violations,' They Say

HOBOKEN, NJ — A grocery store on Hoboken's main street has been shut by the state of New Jersey, the state said Thursday.

Aspen Marketplace at 226 Washington St., which specializes in fresh fruits and vegetables, has been shut for "general enforcement violations," said the state of New Jersey's Department of Labor.

The state said that they had worked with the store to settle the matter, but "The employer breached the settlement agreement and failed to make payments as agreed."

They said that a stop work order was given to Aspen Marketplace Corp. for violations including: incomplete records, failure to pay earned sick leave, failure to post earned sick leave, failure to keep earned sick leave records and notification/posting violations, and unpaid wages/late payment.

The total amount due is $62,972.42, the state said.

First Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano said the closing caused a hardship for his downtown ward.

"Many in the 1st Ward depend on it for daily groceries," he said on social media. "In the meantime, Basic Food at 204 Washington St. is open & has essentials."

A call to the store Thursday afternoon went to voicemail, which did not accept messages.

'The Stop-Work Order May Be Lifted'

The state said, "Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. In General Enforcement cases, an assessment is made against a company found to be in violation of Wage and Hour laws and regulations. If the employer fails to contest or pay the assessment within the statutory time period,a stop-work order may be issued after a seven-day notice."

The stop-work order remains in place until the award is paid in full by the employer, the Department said.

They said the store's nine workers are expected to be paid while the order is in effect, for up to 10 days.

"The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved," the state said.

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