The Covington Skyline Chili will close and relocate to a recently shuttered Frisch's spot

Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read

The Skyline Chili on Third Street in Covington will close and relocate to a former Frisch's location that shuttered suddenly on Sunday, April 7.

The 53-year-old Third Street location in Covington was originally supposed to close on July 31, 2023. It was a decision that upset many long-time customers, especially since it led two of the chili parlor's favorite waitresses, Wilma Mounce-Popp and Terry Bell, to announce their retirements. At the time, Mounce-Popp had worked at the location just shy of 50 years, while Terry had been there for 45.

The front doors at the Skyline Chili location on West Third Street in Covington on April 24, 2023.
The front doors at the Skyline Chili location on West Third Street in Covington on April 24, 2023.

But instead of closing, the Third Street restaurant got a last-minute reprieve in July when Skyline officials notified employees and patrons that it would remain open thanks to One Holland Restaurant Group, a Skyline Chili franchise partner that owns other Skyline locations. One Holland said it would keep the Third Street location open until a new location with a drive-thru could be found. It seems that day has come.

In a statement emailed to The Enquirer, Gary Holland, CEO of One Holland Group, said, “We are excited to improve our location in Covington and look forward to providing better service with a drive-through window and an expanded dining room. Covington is a great city and deserves a great Skyline. Our One Holland team is proud to go from saving the Skyline Chili in Covington last summer to relocating it to a prominent position in the Covington community. After renovations, we anticipate opening in early 2025."

The Covington store opened on the corner of Third Avenue and Philadelphia Street in 1971, just a few years after the Covington Internal Revenue Service building went up across the street, making it an ideal spot for its original owners (brothers Bob and Jack Gearding and their partner, George Christofield) to open a new chili parlor. Unlike more modern Skyline locations, the Third Street one had its own unique character. An old-school black Skyline script painted next to a red arrow pointed toward the entrance, which led to a dining room that felt more like a retro diner than a Skyline.

Longtime waitresses Wilma Mounce-Popp (left) and Terry Bell pose in a booth together at the Skyline Chili location on West Third Street in Covington, on April 24, 2023. Mounce-Popp, 70 years old, worked at the Covington location for nearly 50 years, and Bell, 63, had been there for 45.
Longtime waitresses Wilma Mounce-Popp (left) and Terry Bell pose in a booth together at the Skyline Chili location on West Third Street in Covington, on April 24, 2023. Mounce-Popp, 70 years old, worked at the Covington location for nearly 50 years, and Bell, 63, had been there for 45.

According to Holland, the Third Street location will remain open until the new spot is ready. While Terry Bell has retired, Mounce-Popp is still working at Third Street. There's no word yet on whether she will stay on once the new location opens in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Covington Skyline Chili will close and relocate to a recently shuttered Frisch's spot