EDWARDSVILLE — A Granite City property operation and retail establishment company is suing a Missouri-based grocery company, which laid off hundreds of employees about a year ago, alleging the defendant was significantly behind on rent of one of its stores.
In its two-page complaint filed Aug. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court, Nameoki Crossing Inc. is suing St. Louis-based Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods, Inc., with the former alleging the latter is hundreds of thousands of dollars behind on its lease. Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods is owned by SUPERVALU, Inc.
The complaint stems from a January 2004 lease agreement between Nameoki Crossing and Shop N Save Warehouse Foods for property at 3521 Nameoki Road in Granite City. Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods "is in breach of said lease, being in default for rent and late charges in the sum of $321,008.64 as of June 5, 2019," the suit states
"Rent and late charges continue to accrue, pursuant to the aforesaid lease," the complaint continued, referring to a copy of the lease that was attached to the complaint.
Because of Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods' default, Nameoki Crossing has elected to terminate the lease.
"[The] defendant has failed to cure the defaults under the lease, including payment of past-due monies and late charges," the complaint said, adding that Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods also is accruing interest at the rate of 9 percent per year, plus attorney fees and collection costs.
"[The] plaintiff, in addition to damages, is entitled to exclusive possession of the premises," the complaint said.
About a year ago, Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods announced the layoff of more than 1,300 cashiers, stockers and other employees. The layoff announcement came a few days after SUPERVALU announced the sale of 19 of its 36 Shop 'N Save grocery stores in the greater St. Louis area to Schnuck Markets Inc.
The layoff were to occur in the 17 stores not purchased by Schnucks. Those stores were to close unless another buyer emerged. Neiher SUPERVALU nor Schnuck are named in Nameoki Crossing's complaint.
Nameoki Crossing seeks monetary judgment of $321,008.64, interest and attorney fees. It is represented by attorneys Jay B. Umansky and Mark Silvermantz of The Law Offices of Jay B. Umansky in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court Case number 2019-L-001260