Indiana’s Jiffy Mini-Marts in Legal Limbo

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — An ongoing legal dispute has led to “No Gas” signs and limited in-store inventory at Terre Haute Jiffy Mini-Marts while the battle plays out in court.

According to the Tribune-Star, Special Judge Matthew Headley of the Putnam County Circuit Court ordered the liquidation of assets of the companies that operate Jiffy Mini-Marts, but the ruling is currently being appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

The Jiffy Mini-Marts were purchased in 2011 by BDS Oil Co. LLC, headed by Japneet S. Khaira, who owns the land on which the convenience stores and gas stations operate, reported the news outlet. Along with business partner Raspinder Singh, Khaira created three companies — Khaira Petroleum Inc., JR Oil Inc. and JR Gas Inc. — to own and operate these c-stores.

However, by 2015, the two owners had a business dispute regarding the percentage of the three companies each owns, as only an oral agreement was struck in 2011. One owner contends it is a 50-50 percentage partnership, while the other claims a deal for 60-40 percentage ownership was struck.

As the legal battle wages on, the future of the Jiffy Mini-Marts is in limbo. Merchandise at the Terre Haute stores was 30-percent off, and store hours have been reduced from 24-hour operations to 14 hours per day, the newspaper reported. Shelves were sporadically stocked at some locations, while other sections were completely empty.

Also, soda fountains at two Jiffy Mini-Mart locations were posted as out of order, the news source confirmed.