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Cheli's Chili Bar at 47 E. Adams in downtown Detroit, just steps from Comerica Park, is closing Nov. 24, Meira Gebel of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The bar, which opened in 2006, is owned by former Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios, who said in the summer he planned to return to Chicago to be closer to his mother.
"To the fans in Detroit — I want to say thank you. You embraced me from day one. My experience in Detroit was a lot of fun and we definitely had some unforgettable times together," Chelios says.
The bar hosts a "Finale Week," starting this weekend with a a Lions tailgate party at 9 a.m. Sunday. Its 13th annual Thanksgiving tailgate party starts at 9 a.m. Nov. 22. The bar opens at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19-21 for customer appreciation events.
Competition for customers has escalated in the past few years with the flurry of new bars and restaurants in the downtown area. The bar has not given a specific reason for closing.
Chelios, 56, was one of the longest-playing NHL stars, skating from 1984 to 2010 for the Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and the Atlanta Thrashers
