EAST ST. LOUIS — Chicago-based Pete's Fresh Market is alleging its trademark is being used illegally by a grocer in Troy.
Pete's Fresh Market 4700 Corporation, doing business as Pete's Fresh Market, filed a complaint July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Pete Patel, doing business as Pete's Market, alleging trademark infringement and other claims.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, Pete's Fresh Market is a Chicago-based market that includes 17 locations throughout the state. The plaintiff alleges they have "continuously and exclusively" been using the Pete's Market trademark for their retail groceries since 1994 and their Pete's Fresh Market trademark since 2000. The plaintiff claims that Patel operates a grocery store based in Troy called Pete's Market without the plaintiff's authorization. The plaintiff further claims that Patel's actions have confused consumers into thinking the stores are affiliated. Patel allegedly refuses to "resolve the manner amicably" and continues to use the trademark and "tradeoff" of the plaintiff market's goodwill.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other proper relief. Pete's Fresh Market is represented by Michelle Bolos and Julianne Hartzell of Marshall, Gerstein & Borum LLP in Chicago.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:21-CV-00863-JPG