Le Cigar Emporium Owner Purchases Cheli's Chili Bar in Dearborn

Cheli's Chili Bar in west Dearborn has a new owner.

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

"Right now (Rizk) has not submitted a reoccupation application or floor plan, so we don't know exactly know what he’s going to do with the building yet," deputy director Steve Guile said.

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

"It's going to be great for the city," he said. "That building is the first thing you see when you are coming into west Dearborn. We have a lot of ideas of what we want to do with that location."

Rizk said engineering consultants are currently drafting blueprints to submit to the city for approval by the end of April.

"After that, we just have to wait on permits to start working on the building," he said. "Hopefully we'll be up and running in three to four months."

Rizk said the new business will include a TV area, full service bar, food, and a selection of fine cigars in a smoker's lounge.

Guile said he is glad to see a new tenant take ownership of the building.

"We don’t like vacanies," he said.

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

Editor's note: This story will be updated as more information about the new cigar/sports bar becomes available.