MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Frayser convenience store has been temporarily closed after the business was deemed a public nuisance.

The EZ Express at 2380 Frayser Boulevard was closed by a temporary court injunction Tuesday.

The Memphis Police Department started its investigation of the store in May after receiving complaints. During a three-month period, detectives say they observed drug sales, gang activity and violent crimes on the property.

Since 2021, MPD says they have responded to a total of 424 calls for service and taken 81 offense reports regarding a variety of crimes and complaints at that location. They’ve also seized a large amount of illegal narcotics from the property. 

Brian Thompson says he’s lived here most of his life, so when he heard the EZ Express has been forced to temporarily close, he felt relief. 

“I don’t want to walk around having to carry a firearm and feel like my life is threatened. I don’t want to have to have to get off work from doing long hours and tote my firearm just to go into the store to get me a cold drink before I come to my household,” he said. “It’s time for something to be done.”

There’s no word on what the future holds for the EZ Express or what it takes for the temporary injunction to be lifted.

While Thompson breaths a sigh of relief, he also says the gas station can’t just be closed and forgotten about. He says this is an opportunity for something positive. 

“What we don’t need is another abandoned building there. So I’m asking anybody to come out that’s a part of something positive and let’s figure out something we can add there that’s more for the community,” he said.