2 Memphis convenience stores shut down due to repeated criminal activity

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The City of Memphis has declared two convenience stores public nuisances and has closed them until further notice.

The city issued closure orders for Castalia Market at 1701 Castalia Street and Save a Stop No. 2 at 2757 Kimball Avenue, citing repeated criminal activity.

The Memphis Police Department worked with city officials and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office to shut down the businesses Wednesday.

Between Oct. 2024 and Oct. 2026, MPD responded to 229 calls at Castalia Market, also known as Community Grocery, for incidents including homicide, armed robbery, aggravated assaults, narcotics violations and firearm recoveries, resulting in 71 reports and 24 arrests.

The store was issued a written notice to mitigate the criminal activity in April 2026, but MPD says calls continued.

Subsequent incidents included armed threats against patrons in May, a homicide inside the store in June, and an aggravated assault in October.

MPD says repeated criminal incidents were also documented at Save a Stop No. 2.

Those incidents included two shootings in early 2025, one of which left a woman critically injured, and the seizure of four illegal gambling machines.

Save a Stop No. 2 was issued a written nuisance-abatement notice in July 2026, but like Castalia Market, MPD says criminal activity continued on the property.

A week after the notice was received, police conducted a felony drug bust at the store, seizing cocaine, ecstasy, oxycodone, Xanax, and marijuana.

MPD says that in early October, an employee fell victim to an armed aggravated assault, and a fleeing suspect fired multiple shots at officers, striking nearby property.

“Both locations have been the subject of repeated police responses, investigations, and enforcement actions. Despite prior notice and continued enforcement efforts, criminal activity persisted, creating serious safety concerns for the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.

“The Memphis Police Department will continue working with our partners to address problem properties, hold those responsible accountable, and protect Memphis neighborhoods.”

Memphis Police Department

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