Pihakis Restaurant Group Faces $8.2M in Liens, Unpaid Bills

0:00It's April 29th. This is Birmingham News Today, local news powered by AI. Landlords have slapped more than 8 million, $200,000 in leans on properties linked to the Pihakis Restaurant Group. The big hit is a $7,166,000 claim in Shelby County against spots in the Valley Post-Development in Chelsea. Another $1,076,000 target a site on 3rd Avenue South in Birmingham. These cover unpaid rent, grabbing furniture and equipment inside. That Shelby filing jumped from $160,000 on April 15th to the full amount by April 27th. Meanwhile, restaurants at Valley Post shut down suddenly that same day, right after opening late last year. It's not clear if more spots are involved or if these closures stick around. Locals and workers are feeling the pinch, with Chelsea's mayor noting the shock, but stressing the city's business vibe stays strong amid legal. No word yet from the group on how many places are dark or reopening plans.

1:03Their email bounced to a former employee, a meat supplier powered on with a separate lawsuit for nearly $400,000 in unpaid bills across brands like Hero Donuts, Little, Donkey and Rodney Scott's BBQ. It even names Nick Pihakis Sr. as a personal guarantor, but that's outside the landlord totals. Legal fights are just heating up, with no rulings yet on the claims or futures for these eateries. Keep an eye out as this unfold. Could reshape the local dining scene.