Colonial Pantry Hopes to Lease Recently Closed Illinois Store

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Although Colonial Pantry recently closed one of its locations in this city, its president, John Miller, believes the site can still be profitable, hopefully through leasing to another business such as a fast food restaurant, according to a News-Gazette report.

The convenience store and gas station, located at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Springfield Avenue, closed on Oct. 31 due to difficulties selling enough fuel. However, it wasn't the traffic but the tight on-site spacing that caused trouble, as well as a few minor collisions, according to Miller.

"It's not an easy place to buy gas," Miller said. "We decided we'd be better off to close the business, take the gas out and lease it."

Colonial Pantry stores in Champaign, Ogden, Oakwood, Danville, Georgetown, Paxton and Stonington, Ill., remain open, with some employees of the closed location having transferred their jobs to other stores.

The Prospect and Springfield store opened in 1993, according to the report. It is currently vacant while the company seeks a lessee. Colonial Pantry offices are located on the second floor.