Tempe Chili’s closes doors after 24 years

by Jaime Cerreta

azfamily.com

Posted on January 8, 2014 at 8:19 PM

Updated today at 8:28 PM

TEMPE, Ariz. -- For 24 years, Chili's restaurant has anchored the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and University Drive.

But Wednesday at 2 p.m., Chili's served its last meal and closed its doors for good.

"We used to get beers and have fantasy football stuff here," said Anthony Pappas, one of countless Arizona State University students who have dined at the restaurant.

One of the few remaining businesses in the once booming strip mall owned by ASU, Chili's closed to make way for the construction of a $350 million development.

The development will include a basketball arena where Olympic athletes will train, a conference center, and the city's first AAA Four Diamond hotel.

Nancy Hormann, Executive Director and President of the Downtown Tempe Community nonprofit organization, said the development is a much-needed addition to the Mill Avenue area.

See the article here:
Tempe Chili's closes doors after 24 years