New restaurant to open at Valley Post after Pihakis collapse: ‘We are beyond excited’

After a two-and-a-half-month hiatus, Valley Post in Shelby County is preparing for a fresh start. Waldo’s Chicken & Beer is set to anchor the development this fall, marking a new chapter for the site following the sudden collapse of all four Pihakis Restaurant Group businesses in April.

A New Arrival in Shelby County

The incoming restaurant is expected to create around 40 new jobs. Waldo’s will move into the space previously occupied by Little Donkey. Casey Atherton, who currently operates three Birmingham-area locations, expressed significant enthusiasm for the expansion, noting that he began scouting the property as soon as the previous businesses shuttered.

"We’ve signed our lease, and expected opening would be early fall," Atherton said. "I live in Chelsea, my operator who will run that restaurant lives in Chelsea, I grew up on 280. The second it was a possibility, we were interested."

Expansion and Philosophy

Founded in Nashville in 2019 by Alabama native Mark Waldo, the brand has grown to five locations across the state, with another on the way in Huntsville. Atherton currently manages the first Birmingham-area Waldo’s in Cahaba Heights, in addition to the Pelham and Montgomery Highway sites.

The menu features a variety of fried and rotisserie chicken options, ranging from tenders to salads, paired with house-made sides and craft cocktails. "We’re scratch made. There’s not a freezer in our restaurants, and we are focused on food at an affordable price point," Atherton stated. "We want to bring families to the lunch and dinner table."

Turning the Page on Valley Post

The arrival of Waldo's follows a turbulent period for the development. Valley Post went dark in April when Hero Diner, Luca & Lucy, Little Donkey and Rodney Scott BBQ all ceased operations simultaneously. This move came less than a year after the site, formerly home to TreeTop Family Adventure, opened with the ambitious goal of serving as a dining “playground” for the region.

Legal challenges remain for the previous operators. Real estate investor Michael Mouron filed liens in April and a subsequent lawsuit in June against the Pihakis Restaurant Group, alleging over $7.35 million in damages related to defaulted leases at the four buildings at Valley Post. Court records indicate that rent payments at the development ceased in December 2025.

Despite the history of the site, Atherton remains optimistic about the location's future, citing his faith in the landlord. "Not when Mike Mouron and his team at Capstone (Development) are involved," he said. "I think he’s one of the most savvy and genuine businessmen I’ve ever met, so I have full confidence in him."