years now have a chance to call the place their own.

The 2.5 acres and the restaurant itself, complete with all its equipment and

the upstairs living quarters, will be auctioned at 11 a.m. Saturday.

"This is an unique set-up for a unique situation," said Terry Brown,

auctioneer. "But auctions are a logical way to get rid of something for those

in a hurry."

Nu-Joy, located halfway between Chicago and Terre Haute, has been a popular

place for locals and those passing through. However, the restaurant closed

earlier this month after a few key employees quit.

"The owner, Bob Funk, who now lives in New Mexico, knew that long distance

management of the restaurant would be difficult," said Marie Courtright, a

Nu-Joy employee. "It's been up for sale, but Bob was very particular about who

he wanted buying the place. On his latest trip up, when we lost a couple of the

cooks, he just decided this seemed like the right time."

Those interested in bidding on the restaurant must have $20,000 deposited in

guaranteed funds, and bid minimums are $1,000.

On a smaller scale, diners who have admired the antiques and other

miscellaneous items inside the restaurant can participate in a second auction,

to be held immediately after the auction of the restaurant, at 11:30 a.m.

"Everything to be auctioned separately will be moved outside the

restaurant," Brown said. "But we won't be taking out anything pertinent to

running the restaurant."

Employees are busy scrubbing the restaurant and preparing it for sale.

"This is a beautiful place, and we all love it here," Courtright said. "We

would really like to come back here and work for the new owner."