A state district court judge approved an agreement between the City of Dallas and the owners of a historic Dallas meatpacking company, allowing the business to reopen after being closed for more than a year.

Following a vote by the City of Dallas Board of Adjustment in April 2012 to revoke Columbia Packing Company's certificate of occupancy, the business asked the district court to determine that the revocation was improper and to allow Columbia to resume meat processing and packing operations as well as distribution from the facility in east Oak Cliff.

The agreement with the city was confirmed this morning in Dallas County's 101st District Court before Judge Martin Lowy. Columbia was represented by Michael K. Hurst, A. Shonn Brown and Joshua M. Sandler of Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank LLP.

"We are moving forward to serve our customers, provide much-needed jobs, and continue as an asset to the community," says Joseph Ondrusek Sr., a grandson of the company's founder. "Our family has provided customers with high-quality products in a safe and responsible manner for 100 years. All we've ever wanted is to resume our packing and distribution business, and we're pleased that this agreement with the city is making it happen."

The company plans to re-open the over 40,000 square foot plant within 30 days and immediately begin hiring employees.

"It has been very gratifying to maintain contact with many of our longtime employees who unfortunately lost their jobs when we suspended operations last year," says Ondrusek. "We hope most of them will return to work with us, as we greatly appreciate their skills and customer relationships."

Columbia Packing Co. traces its history to 1913 when Czechoslovakian immigrant Josef Ondrusek opened Columbia Meat Market and Sausage Factory near downtown Dallas. The company moved to its current site in east Oak Cliff in 1932. Four generations of the Ondrusek family have operated the business, which has actively supported the State Fair of Texas, Southwest Meat Association, Dallas/Fort Worth Grocers Association and other civic and business organizations for decades.

Source: Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank LLP