Chili's to Close Popular Fort Worth Location
Downtown Fort Worth will soon lose Main Street restaurant.
Frank Heinz
A popular downtown Fort Worth eatery will soon be shutting its doors.
The Chili's Grill & Bar on Main Street near Sundance Square will shut down on Jan. 26.
Customers said it's a surprise considering the regular lunch crowd.
"It's close, so we're always coming across the street to either have an after-hours get-together or lunch," said Lalice White.
Regular customers said a 15- or 20-minute wait is to be expected during the week, so the news that the restaurant will soon shut down was unexpected.
"There's a lot of in-and-out, people coming for lunch, so I don't understand why they'd close," said Kevin Mikeska, customer.
Some said it's a reflection of the economy. But others said high rent prices may be to blame.
Across the street, Picchi Pacchi has been serving pizza in the same location for 15 years. But the owner, Kim Tran, said she won't be renewing her lease in two years.
"I think I have to go, because I cannot afford the price," she said.
In a statement issued late Monday afternoon, Brinker International, Chili's parent company, said its lease was up at the Main Street location.
After considering a number of things, including sales figures, the company decided to shut down the location, according to the statement.
Posted Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 2:25 AM CST
