Chi
Chi's: "We're not going to roll over!"
For HNN by Art
Harvath
A lot has been said about Chi Chi’s Restaurant and its impediment to the development of Pullman Square. Not much has been said about Chi Chi’s position until recently when the Herald Dispatch printed some comments from Rob Carl, vice president of investor, public and media relations for Chi Chi’s.
In a telephone interview with HNN Tuesday, Carl briefly explained Chi Chi’s position in the matter.
“We’re very civic minded, and we are very aware of the situation,” said Carl. “We understand growth and progress, and don’t want to stand in the way. However, we have a tremendous amount of growth and equity and we want to be treated in a fair and equitable manner,” added Carl.
Carl said that Chi Chi’s has taken issue with several actions and comments from HMDA and HURA members. One was Ron Smith’s comment in the January 24th edition of the Herald Dispatch in which he described Chi Chi’s as a “suburban restaurant on an urban site. It’s not really appropriate on an urban site like that. It probably was never appropriate on a site like that.” Smith is the Chairman of HURA and also owner of Chili Willi’s Mexican Cantina. Carl called Smith’s comment uninformed.
Concerning the editorial in Sunday’s edition of the Herald Dispatch that “Chi Chi’s opened in 1990 amid promises that it would be no impediment to future development on the Superblock property,” Carl said that Chi Chi’s made no promises except to come to Huntington and open a business on the superblock when no one else would. “What business would make a promise to build a new business just to have to move it later on,” asked Carl.
“We have a tremendous amount of value and equity,” said Carl. He expressed doubt about how a government entity can displace workers and a business and not compensate for the going concern value.
“It’s like they are saying ‘thanks for buying our property (superblock property), but there’s the door.’ Here’s so many cents on the dollar, and goodbye,” said Carl.
Carl added that people wanting to come here in the future are going to look at that. He added that small business owners should be concerned about this, too. Carl again added that Chi Chi’s is not against development of the Superblock and want’s to see progress in Huntington, citing Chi Chi’s commitment to build when no one else would.
Chi Chi’s is aware of the HURA’s position that it needs to move quickly in the matter. But he said that unless Chi Chi’s is given a fair and equitable offer, then they will fight it in court.
Said Carl, “we’ve engaged a very fine law firm, we are not going to roll over on this.”
