Chili’s Grill & Bar, located just off the “Stairway to Heaven” escalator at Orlando International Airport, will be permanently closed.
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Chili’s Grill & Bar, located just down the “Stairway to Heaven” escalator at Orlando International Airport, is scheduled to close permanently at the end of the year.
Florida Airports (MCO) announced the news in a post on X on Dec. 26, causing customer disappointment and shock.
“Chili’s is a perennial favorite for many travelers who have climbed the ‘Stairway to Heaven,'” MCO said in a post. “Over the years, you have shared so many memories and memories.”
MCO noted that the restaurant will close permanently on Dec. 31 and encouraged travelers to “visit one last time and raise a glass to this great partnership.”
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is ‘rethinking its concession program’
It’s unclear what will replace Chili’s and MCO, but a social media user clarified that “Space will not replace Chili’s Two.”
An MCO spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email that while the exact details of what will happen at the site are not known, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is “rethinking the concession program,” with the first phase expected to be approved in December 2024 and construction to begin in 2026. The program has brought “more than 40 new retail and dining establishments” to Orlando International Airport, and “will continue to expand with the introduction of even more shops and restaurants.” Phase 2 and Phase 3,” the plan states.
“Several existing sites will cease operations so that construction on new blocks can begin,” a spokesperson said, without providing further details.
Under the “Concession Master Plan,” GOAA will “reimagine the Terminal A and B concessions to create modern, visually appealing spaces that showcase Central Florida hospitality and popular national brands, positioning MCO as a destination in its own right,” the plan reads.
“The end of an era”
Needless to say, customers were disappointed with the MCO announcement, with many expressing their disappointment in the comments.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
