CHELSEA, Ala. (WBRC) - New life, and new jobs, are coming to Valley Post in Chelsea.
Waldo’s Chicken and Beer has signed a lease at the old Little Donkey location and plans to open its doors in early fall, according to Casey Atherton, the operating partner of the growing restaurant chain.
A personal connection
For Atherton, this isn’t just business — it’s personal.
“This is a dream come true! You know, my wife and two sons, we live in Chelsea,” Atherton said. “I grew up right here on the 280 corridor.”
Atherton owns the new Waldo’s locations popping up across Central Alabama. He said he felt the impact of Valley Post’s closure firsthand.
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“I know everyone in Mt. Laurel, Highland Lakes, Greystone, Chelsea, was heartbroken to finally get this place up and going and then, what, about two months later close the doors,” he said.
What happened at Valley Post?
Several servers and bartenders lost their jobs in April after multiple restaurants affiliated with the Pihakis Restaurant Group closed at Valley Post following reports of financial issues.
City leaders welcome the news
Chelsea Mayor Cody Sumners said the community is ready to embrace the new addition.
“We are looking forward to having Waldo’s in Chelsea as part of a renewed Valley Post lineup that our citizens can visit and enjoy good times with friends and family,” Sumners said.
What to expect
The building is already restaurant-ready, but Atherton said renovations are planned, including the brand’s signature red and white striping, pop culture artwork, and chicken decor, similar to the recently opened Waldo’s location in Vestavia Hills.
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Sullivan Schwartz, General Manager of Waldo’s Vestavia, describes what customers can expect on the menu.
“We make real, fresh food made from scratch ingredients every single day,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said the Vestavia location has already built a loyal following.
“It’s been great being a part of Vestavia. We love the community here. We have a lot of great regulars that come in every single day,” he said.
Atherton is also looking forward to becoming a neighborhood gathering spot.
“I want people to be able to come here and watch an Auburn and Alabama game on the big screen,” he said.
New jobs on the way
When the restaurants at Valley Post closed, dozens of employees were left jobless.
The addition of Waldo’s is expected to initially bring around 40 new jobs to the area, and hiring has already begun.
Atherton said he’s also reaching out to former Valley Post staff.
“We’ve reached out to a couple of the previous management members here at these locations and asked them if they have any employees that lived around this area that are looking to get back to Valley Post,” he said.
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How to apply
If you lost your job at Valley Post or are searching for a new one, click here to connect with Waldo’s Chicken and Beer and learn about open positions.
Applicants can select another Birmingham area location to apply and add a note expressing interest in Valley Post.
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