Council approves liquor license for Rojo West End LLC to reopen as Chi Chi’s at 1602 West End Boulevard

The St. Louis Park City Council on Aug. 18 approved a liquor license for Rojo West End LLC to operate as Chi Chi’s Mexican restaurant at 1602 West End Boulevard. Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk, presented the application and told the council that the location will be transitioning to Chi Chi’s and that “the site continues to meet the requirements of zoning and building divisions.” She also said the police department ran “a full background investigation” and found “nothing… that would warrant denial of the license.” The applicant, identified in the record as Michael (Applicant/Owner, Chi Chi’s), said Rojo will close on Aug. 31 and that construction will begin “right after Labor Day.” He said the team is “looking to open up, like, the first week in October” and described the St. Louis Park location as the planned flagship for a broader revival of the Chi Chi’s brand: “My dad started in 1976, and I'm bringing it back.” The mayor opened a public hearing. No members of the public signed to speak; the hearing was closed. A councilor moved to approve the liquor license for Rojo West End LLC doing business as Chi Chi’s; the motion was seconded and approved with all those present signaling “aye.” The transcript records the motion and subsequent approval but does not include a recorded roll-call tally of individual votes. The clerk’s presentation noted the premises’ seating capacity and that the premises will largely remain the same. The council’s exchange with the applicant included discussion of planned menu items and potential future franchise plans; Michael said the business plans include converting another Rojo location in Maple Grove and possible additional locations in the Midwest and East Coast. The approval formalizes the license transfer; staff will complete administrative processing and inspections required before a change of business occupancy and liquor service can begin. The applicant’s timeline—Rojo closing Aug. 31, construction starting after Labor Day, and a soft target opening in early October—was stated by the applicant on the record and not guaranteed by the council.