St. Joseph businesses sue to permanently close Wood’s Mini Mart, citing crime and public safety concerns, owner disputes claim
By: Skye Pournazari, News-Press NOW
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three St. Joseph businesses and property owners have filed a lawsuit seeking to permanently shut down Wood's Mini Mart on Frederick Avenue, alleging years of criminal activity, property damage and dangerous conditions have made it increasingly difficult to operate neighboring businesses.
The lawsuit, filed Friday, Oct. 16, in Buchanan County Circuit Court, accuses the owners and operators of the convenience store at 1334 Frederick Ave. of maintaining a public and private nuisance that has resulted in thousands of police calls and hundreds of emergency medical service records associated with the location.
Plaintiffs E.L. Crawford Construction Inc., KC-KC Properties LLC and Baseball Builders LLC are seeking financial damages and a permanent court injunction prohibiting the store from operating or reopening.
The lawsuit names Sajid Farooqui and Zeshan Siddiqu(e), identified as partners operating the business under the name EZ Mart, formerly registered as EZ Mart LLP, doing business as Wood's Mini Mart.
According to the petition, St. Joseph Police Department records reflect approximately 2,969 calls for service associated with the store's address between 2016 and 2026. Of those, 1,951 occurred during the five-year period from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026.
The filing alleges police activity at the location has included reports of fighting, assaults, shots fired, trespassing and drug overdoses, although the total call figures also include routine patrols and building checks.
The businesses contend the store's owners have failed to adequately address ongoing problems despite years of police and emergency medical responses.
Siddique, one of the store's owners named in the lawsuit, told the News-Press on Tuesday he was unaware of the filing and disputed the suggestion that his business was responsible for criminal activity in the surrounding neighborhood.
The lawsuit alleges the resulting disturbances have extended beyond the store's property and onto neighboring commercial properties, leading to increased security expenses, property damage, lost rental income and declining property values.
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