The closing of Hardee’s restaurant last month leaves a very sought after, open commercial lot in a prime spot close to Eastern’s campus.

“There has been quite a lot of interest in (the property),” said Dave Barr, commercial broker for Barr Real Estate in Champaign.

Barr Real Estate is handling the property at 315 Lincoln Ave. that is now vacant after Hardee’s restaurant closed Jan. 17.

Hardee’s was told by its corporate office on Jan. 16 that it would have to close the next day because it was not bringing in enough revenue, said Joan Fox, manager at Hardee’s.

Since the property closed, there have been a variety of commercial businesses who have shown interest in the property, Barr said. Both restaurants and retail properties have been considering the vacant lot.

Right now, the real estate company is deciding what the property is worth.

“(Our company has) been retained by a national brokerage company to find the ultimate disposition of the property,” Barr said.

The Orion Realty Group is the national brokerage company which chose Barr Real Estate to handle the property.

Businesses may have the option to buy the property, or lease options could be a possibility for the building, said Craig Cooper, representative from the Orion Realty Group.

The Hardees Corporation has a lease on the property until April 2002, Cooper said. Hardee’s will likely find a way to relinquish the lease, so the property can be sold or leased, Cooper said.

The details have not yet been finalized on what proceedings will be taken on Hardee’s lease, Barr said.