The legal troubles of the now-closed grocery chain Fields Foods show no signs of ending, with two new lawsuits adding to the company's financial problems. According to KSDK, the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council has initiated litigation, claiming that Fields Foods has fallen behind on payments tied to a $500,000 letter of credit. In a separate action, detailed by St. Louis Business Journal, Leaf Capital Funding LLC alleges that the grocery chain defaulted on an agreement pertaining to the procurement of software and scanning systems.
Fields Foods’ owner, Chris Goodson, tried to sell the chain but was unsuccessful, leading to the closure of the remaining stores in September 2023. An in-depth report by St. Louis Today reveals that a loan from the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council was meant for developing what was planned to be the flagship Fields Foods store near Lafayette Square. However, Goodson allegedly paid $650 in fees in August 2022 but failed to make the required monthly interest payments.
The lawsuit against Goodson and his business entities states that the full amount of the promissory note was used, with a maturity date set for August 2025. This is supported by documents filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Meanwhile, Leaf Capital Funding is also suing for the outstanding balance and possible repossession of equipment. Fields Foods is accused of defaulting on an agreement involving monthly payments to Leaf Capital Funding, with the outstanding amount reportedly reaching $187,347 by May 2024.
The ongoing dissolution of Fields Foods' assets, A.T. Still University bought a property that housed one of the chain's former locations in January. The sale of 1500 Lafayette Ave. was made by St. Louis Food Hub LLC, a company run by Chris Goodson, reflecting a continued shift in property ownership after the grocery chain's downfall, as stated by KSDK.
