CVS to open pharmacy at closed Hardee's

CVS Health plans to begin construction on a new store next month at a recently closed Hardee’s restaurant, an official with the pharmacy chain confirmed Friday.

CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis said via email the store at National Avenue and Elm Street would open in late 2015.

Employees at the Hardee’s store found out suddenly around 4 p.m. Jan. 7 the building had sold and the fast-food restaurant would close for good at 5 p.m., according to a report from Springfield Business Journal’s media partner, KSPR.

Building owner Michel Shay of Nixa-based Hardee's of Southwest Missouri Inc. could not be reached for comment by deadline. The franchise company was formed in 1982 and employed as many as 500 in 2012, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

The nearly 1-acre site, 1153 E. Elm St., has a 2014 taxable appraised value of $544,500, according to Greene County assessor records. According to Greene County recorder records, Shay transferred ownership of the property to Missouri CVS Pharmacy LLC on Jan. 7.

A building permit for a CVS pharmacy at the property was filed in mid-October. The most recent action, on Jan. 7, called for CVS to obtain driveway approach permits from Public Works for work on Elm Street, National Avenue and an adjacent alley.