Hunan Buffet in Charles City is now closed

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A 16-year-old Charles City restaurant closed its doors over the weekend.

Saturday was the last day that Hunan Buffet Chinese Restaurant was open for business.

Dean Stewart, with Stewart Realty, which is listing the property for sale, said the business was owned by an older couple who are ready to retire.

“They’re retiring, moving on, moving out of state, and going to let a new owner take it over and do whatever use it is, whether it’s a restaurant or other purpose,” Stewart said.

County property records list the owners as Zhong Mei and Zhuang Hui Hau. There was no one at the property Wednesday, and no answer at the listed business phone numbers.

Press records show the restaurant was started in 2003. At that time, the operators, listed then as Charlie Chen and Bi Ying Zhang, said they heard there was no Chinese buffet in Charles City so they decided to move here and start one.

Stewart said the property, at the intersection of Gilbert Street and Highway 18/Freeman Street, is an excellent business opportunity.

“It’s the highest count traffic intersection in Charles City,” he said.

The building was built in 1993 as a Hardee’s restaurant. Hardee’s closed in 2002.The property listing notes the building is almost 4,000 square feet and there is a large, lighted parking lot, along with access off Gilbert and Freeman streets.