The two popular Southern Pines restaurants closed earlier this month and will remain closed into the new year.
Reports of payroll issues began circulating on social media last week, and both restaurants, which share an owner, abruptly closed.
Owner Orlando Jinzo acknowledged this week that payroll had been delayed, and confirmed that both Leadmine and Yellowbird are taking some time off in 2023 to regroup.
“I am taking this opportunity to work tirelessly to strengthen our systems so we come back stronger than ever,” he said. A reopening date has not been set.