Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • Issues
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • Issues Archive
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Home News Va. Supreme Court refuses to hear Gold’s Gym appeal

Va. Supreme Court refuses to hear Gold’s Gym appeal

Owner of 9 franchises in state sought to reopen gyms.

Published May 19, 2020 by Kate Andrews

Sandy Hall. Courtesy Taft Construction Inc.

The Supreme Court of Virginia won’t hear an appeal in a lawsuit filed against the governor by the owner of nine Gold’s Gym franchises in Virginia.

Merrill C. “Sandy” Hall filed suit last month in Culpeper County Circuit Court, seeking to reopen his gyms, which were closed by executive order in March to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In a filing Tuesday, the state’s high court denied Hall’s petition to review the case.

The lower court ruled last month against Hall’s request for a temporary injunction against Executive Order 53, which closed all gyms and fitness centers, as well as other “nonessential” businesses. Hall then appealed to the state Supreme Court on May 4. The Culpeper-based business owner’s gyms are in Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Roanoke and the Richmond area, typically employing 1,100 people.

According to the filing by Supreme Court of Virginia Deputy Clerk Douglas B. Robelen, “the denial of injunctive relief is reviewed solely for an abuse of discretion. Under the circumstances, we are unable to conclude that the circuit court abused its discretion.”

The case pitted Attorney Gen. Mark Herring, representing Gov. Ralph Northam, against two Republican state senators, Bill Stanley and Ryan McDougle, representing Hall.

“I’m really pleased we were again able to successfully defend Gov. Northam’s executive orders that have proven to be effective in keeping our communities safe, keeping Virginians healthy, and preventing further spread of COVID-19,” Herring said in a statement. “During these difficult and unprecedented times, we must continue to all work together to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe and healthy.”

Hall said he was concerned about being able to hold on to his franchises, especially in Northern Virginia, where Phase One of the governor’s “Forward Virginia” reopening plan has been delayed until May 29.

Currently, even in localities that have started to lift restrictions on businesses, members are not allowed to come inside gyms and fitness centers. Hall said it wasn’t feasible for his franchises to hold outdoor classes, which is allowed in Phase One, and he didn’t expect to reopen any of his gyms before the state enters Phase Two, approximately two or three weeks from now.

Hall said that before filing suit, he and his partners sent a brief to the governor’s office outlining safety measures they planned to take if allowed to remain open.

“I just think it’s important for people to know that this litigation is not political,” Hall said last week. “I don’t agree with this governor. I think everyone should have a fair chance to meet the regulations.”

Hall did not immediately return a message requesting comment Tuesday afternoon.

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Virginia Business logo

Sheetz to offer free meals to children starting April 2

21 locations in Virginia will participate.

Virginia Business logo

Booz Allen Hamilton pledges job security for employees through July 1

Norfolk is one of 10 cities receiving assistance from McLean-based firm

Need Supply Co. store in Carytown. Photo by Kate Andrews

Richmond’s Need Supply Co. closes permanently

Popular clothing e-tailer goes under during pandemic

Trending

13th annual Best Places to Work

Report: Air taxis could land Va. $16B in new biz by 2045

Magical moments

Morrissey’s Petersburg casino bill fails in Senate Finance

Cox expands Myers’ role to East Coast

Sponsored Stories

Working at Pinnacle Financial Partners

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

13th annual Best Places to Work

Report: Air taxis could land Va. $16B in new biz by 2045

Magical moments

Morrissey’s Petersburg casino bill fails in Senate Finance

Cox expands Myers’ role to East Coast

Sponsored Stories

Working at Pinnacle Financial Partners

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk