EVERETT — A well-known deli near the border of Everett and Mukilteo could reopen, at least temporarily, following a court order on Wednesday.
The Soundview Deli, located on the Everett side of the Edgewater Bridge, has been closed for weeks following a number of legal disputes between its owner and a man who has said he is a partial owner of the business. The man, Soo Jin Jung, sued Lia Tetreault, who runs the Soundview Deli, asking a court to divide property — including the Soundview Deli — that he said they acquired together in an intimate relationship. Tetreault denied in court that they were in a relationship or were ever business partners.
In November, a court granted Jung a temporary restraining order against Tetreault, making her unable to enter or operate the Soundview Deli. That came after Tetreault was found in default as she had not responded to Jung’s latest lawsuit in court, the third case the two have been involved in against one another this year.
On Wednesday, a court commissioner vacated the order of default. The pro tem judicial commissioner presiding over the hearing, Richard Furman, said motions for default are generally disfavored as the preference is for evidence to be considered in court.
Furman also issued a new temporary protection order against Jung, rather than Tetreault, allowing her to return to the Soundview Deli and operate it. He said during the hearing that his intent was to allow Tetreault to preserve the value of the business by maintaining its revenue while the parties address disputes over its ownership in court.
As of Friday, the store remained closed, with a metal gate in front of the door.
A hearing that could extend the temporary order is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Tetreault first met Jung in 2021 and the two began a relationship in 2023 after Tetreault opened the Soundview Deli, she wrote in an October court filing. Jung, however, became abusive, she alleged, at times demanding money and threatening to kill her.
Jung denied in court filings that he had threatened to harm Tetreault in any manner. He said he had done remodeling work and put cash investments into the deli business totaling over $400,000. Jung alleged that Tetreault had deceived him by not including his name on the building’s lease after he said the two agreed to a business arrangement where Jung would be a partial owner.
In court filings, Tetreault alleged that arrangement did not exist. State corporation records list her as the sole governor of the deli, a person who has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the business.
The legal saga between Tetreault and Jung began in February, when Tetreault requested a civil protection order against Jung, alleging he had blocked access to her living area below the store. Jung denied doing so.
In March, Jung requested a protection order of his own, accusing Tetreault and two others of breaking into his living space below the store with an axe and hammer. Tetreault said Jung’s request contained false statements and no corroborating evidence.
A judge denied both of those requests for protection orders in October, citing insufficient evidence.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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