Little Caesars Owners Scoop Up Former Cheli’s Chili Building Near Comerica Park

Shuttered hockey bar building has a new owner

The building that formerly housed Cheli’s Chili Bar has sold to — no surprise here — the Ilitches. The Little Caesars dynasty, which owns neighboring Comerica Park as well as the Fox Theatre and large swaths of Cass Corridor, purchased the 47 E. Adams Ave. address for $4.1 million, according to Crain’s. It’s unknown what the Ilitches will do with the property. It could be filled with a new restaurant or perhaps flattened to join neighboring parking lots, a favorite Ilitch development strategy.

Vegan restaurant controversy

An employee and son of the owners of Vegginini’s Paradise Cafe on Detroit’s east side has been fired for posting a video to Instagram that mocked customers. In the video, the employee hurled homophobic and racial slurs.

Development endangers hamburger staple

A five-story condo and office complex could replace Birmingham’s venerable slider spot Hunter House Hamburgers’ iconic white building, according to the Detroit Free Press. Under the proposed plan, the Hunter House building would be flattened and the hamburger business would receive space inside the new development. The family that owns Hunter House is against the plan. A decision on the site plan was postponed in December, but could be revisited at the Birmingham Planning Board’s next meeting on Wednesday, January 9.

Vegan restaurant debuts this month

Popular vegan food truck Shimmy Shack is expected to debut its brick-and-mortar restaurant in late-January, per Metro Times. The Plymouth-based throwback diner has passed its inspections and will use the next few weeks for staff training.

Ferndale developments

Developers of the massive forthcoming Iron Ridge District tell the Detroit Free Press that an unnamed Caribbean restaurant and a coffee shop could be among the vendors filling space in the so-called Iron Ridge Marketplace. As previously reported, the property will feature a brewery that’s expected to debut by mid-2020. However, representatives for the development declined to confirm the who will be helming the brewing operation.

Doughnut shop expansion

River Rouge’s Sugarr Donuts is preparing to expand to a second outpost in Wyandotte. The new address will be 1752 Eureka Rd. The shop is known for its creative doughnuts with toppings like Trix cereal, Animal Crackers, and maple-bacon.

Royal Oak rooftop bar updates

Construction is set to begin on the garden-themed rooftop restaurant and bar Pinky’s in Royal Oak this winter. Pinky’s, which is filling the former Red Fox English Pub space, will feature 70 outdoor seats and 90 indoors seats. It’s anticipated to debut this spring with plenty of oysters on the half shell and cocktails.

Half-off hot dogs

Laika Dog at the UFO Factory is reviving its Wednesday half-off food deal beginning January 16. The regular menu, which includes fancy hot dogs and hot dish, will by 50 percent off from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekly on hump day for dine-in customers. Carryout orders are full price.

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