Dedham Chili's Set to Close

DEDHAM, MA — What was expected to be a routine vote on a change of manager at Thursday's Dedham Board of Selectmen meeting turned into a closure announcement for the Dedham Chili’s.

While the selectmen approved Sean Leonard as the new manager, the board learned that his tenure in Dedham will be short with the announcement that the restaurant plans to close on Jan. 17.

“We've had a 25-year relationship with Dedham. We’re not happy to be leaving. We were prepared 9 years ago to become part of Legacy Place and build a new building,” Leonard said.

Leonard told the board that the restaurant has been on a month-to-month lease for the past 18 months has been unsuccessful in securing a new 15-20 year lease with the family that owns the property.

“We’ve always done well there, but the family can’t agree to a lease there. We wish we could stay,” Leonard said.

“I’m sorry to hear that but you speak of your experience and it sounds like it’s going to be a smooth transition,” Selectman Brendan Keogh said.

Chili’s is located at 930 Boston Providence Hwy on Route 1 North near Legacy Place.