By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Three entities have expressed interest in the building where Carlos O’Kelly’s was housed on Vine Street.

According to Michael Downing, the ReMax real estate agent representing the property, two national restaurant chains and one independent entity are in early negotiations to purchase the building. The identities were not available.

Downing said his agency has just begun marketing the property north of Interstate 70 and to get interest this early is “a bonus,” noting no deal is finalized.

“We have had good interest in the property and are excited to hopefully have one of them come through and get that place occupied again,” Downing said.

Carlos O’Kelly’s closed in early March because of a lease situation that made it “impossible to operate profitably” according to Dave Phillips, director of restaurant marketing for Carlos O’Kelly’s. The company offered all employees with at least a year of tenure a severance package and relocated members of the management team.