A prime location at The Shoppes at North Village is having trouble attracting a tenant.

Chick-fil-A no longer plans to build a fast-food chicken restaurant at the location.

“We had a couple of issues, challenges that had kept us from moving forward,” said Jerry Johnston, a spokesperson with Chick-fil-A. “We are no long under contract.”

The site at 5303 N. Belt Highway was initially purchased by Colton’s Steak House & Grill in 2005. The restaurant never submitted plans to the city and never began construction on the property, located near the main entrance to the shopping center. The lot was for sale for two years, until Chick-fil-A announced plans in January that it was coming to the Shoppes.

Mr. Johnston said the company decided against the Shoppes location, but did not disclose the exact reasoning behind the decision.

The restaurant’s franchisee is still actively looking for another site in St. Joseph, but Mr. Johnston said at this time there is nothing set in stone.

Chick-fil-A submitted plans to the city earlier this year and Clint Thompson, city director of planning and community development, said that the city has approved those plans.

There are other pad sites available at the Shoppes north of the main entrance. Buffalo Wild Wings is under construction in that area and is set to open in November.

Business reporter Jennifer Hall can be reached

at jennhall@npgco.com.