Cheli's Chili Bar auction is sports landmark's last hurrah

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The auction of the memorabilia that adorned the walls of Cheli's Chili Bar in Downtown Detroit is the last hurrah for the iconic bar in Detroit.

It was the place to be for Tigers games - especially opening day - and it was a downtown staple. The place where everybody really might know your name is closed for good.

So the owners auctioned what they had - after all, who wouldn't want a piece of history.

"I'd love to have the picture of him holding the Stanley Cup above his head but I don't think that picture is for sale," Steve Sweitzer said.

The bar, owned by Red Wing great Chris Chelios, announced last month that it's closing up shop. Then it announced an auction of a lot of stuff. What's not included, however, are things like Chelios with the Cup. 

Must of the special memorabilia isn't for sale - is that a sign of things to come?

"I don't know that he would ever 100 percent say like no I'm not opening another place ever. He's been in the restaurant business his whole life," Katie Sperry with Cheli's Chili Bar said. "I've been working for him since I was 18. It's been a long time. We all consider each other family"

What is included are cash registers, pool tables, TVs, a ton of restaurant supply equipment - all available for the highest bidder. 

Bids close at 8 p.m. Thursday. Go to https://www.biddergy.com/

The Ilitch family owns the bar now but has not said what it plans to do with the location.