By Anna Armstrong, The Press Democrat The Tribune Content Agency

Downtown Barbecue, a new restaurant that was set to open Thursday in Santa Rosa, remained closed Friday afternoon amid ongoing staff turmoil.

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

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

Head chef and pitmaster Damian Brugger told The Press Democrat Thursday that he and others decided to walk out over the alleged "toxic behavior" and belittling comments from Sheldon.

In response, Sheldon said Brugger was "manipulating the situation" and said the actual scale of the walkout was minimal.

For now, a sign on the window still reads, "Our chef walked out. We won't be open today."

The sign also asks that if anyone has recommendations for "good barbecue chefs," to email the business.

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