Renovations Begin on Former Cheli's Chili Bar in Dearborn

Passersby walking along Michigan Avenue in west Dearborn may have noticed a few changes recently taking place at the former Cheli's Chili Bar.

Gone are the trademark red and beige paint, the Detroit Red Wings hockey mural and the Cheli's logo on the building's exterior. The building features an all-brown facade as part of a facelift by its new owner.

Najib Rizk, owner of Le Cigar Emporium purchased the building in February, according to the city's Commercial Services Division. 

Talking with Patch.com, Rizk said he plans to renovate the building into a sports/cigar bar.

"It will be similar to Cheli's except we will be adding a cigar lounge," he said.

If all goes to plan, Cheli's will be renamed Nar Bar and will include 30 TVs, and a sports bar menu featuring hamburgers and sandwiches.

Rizk said he hopes to have the business open by the end of the year.

"There is still a lot of work to do in the next 60 to 90 days. We still have to transfer the licenses, work with the city to finalize building plans, and begin renovations of the interior," he said.

Rizk said he wanted to paint the building's exterior to make it more welcoming for visitors to west Dearborn.

"People told us that they were tired of the ugly building colors," Rizk said. "Response from the neighboring businesses has been very positive so far."

Cheli's Chili Bar, which has been an anchor of the west downtown district for 10 years, closed its doors on Feb. 20.