Downtown BBQ, new restaurant The restaurant, which was scheduled to open in Santa Rosa on Thursday, remained closed Friday afternoon amid ongoing personnel turmoil.

Co-owner Lowell Sheldon told The Press Democrat Friday morning that he and fellow owner Julia Hsieh are “still trying to figure it out” and are working to set a new opening date.

The restaurant was scheduled to open Thursday in the 7,000-square-foot space that was Townes, a Sheldon restaurant that closed two months ago after less than a year in business.

Head chef and pitmaster Damian Brugger He told the Press Democrat On Thursday, she and others decided to leave due to the alleged “toxic behavior” and Sheldon’s snide comments.

In response, Sheldon said that Brugger was “manipulating the situation” and that the true extent of the strike was minimal.

For now, the sign on the window still reads: “Our chef is out. “We won’t be open today.”

The sign also asks that anyone with a recommendation for “good barbecue chefs” email the business.

Contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or [email protected]. @annavarmstrongg on X (Twitter).