As the minimum wage law takes effect, one local business is closing it’s doors.

According to a notice posted on one of the restaurant’s signs, the Chandler Native Grill and Wings located at 2885 S. Alma School Road will close on Saturday, July 1. This is the same day the minimum wage increase officially takes effect.

In the notice, the eatery cites rising costs of business and the minimum wage increase as causes for it’s closure, but also thanked its customers and faithful regulars for supporting the restaurant.

The notice read:

“Due to the rising cost of business and the minimum wage increase, with our deepest regrets, we are going to be forced to close our doors. Sat. July 1st will be our last open day. We would like to thank all of the customers and our faithful regulars that have supported us and allowed us to keep our doors open thus far. Please join us on July 1st to say goodbye to our staff and the environment you all have helped us create.”

However, the corporate team at Native Grill released a statement emphasizing that the closure was due to underperformance, and that the company supports minimum wage:

While we’re disappointed by the closing of our restaurant on Alma School Road, we want to emphasize the fact that its closing is due to underperformance. The position on minimum wage was an overstatement made by an uninformed manager for that franchisee. Native Grill & Wings absolutely supports the current minimum wage. Since 1979, we have employed thousands of people at or above the minimum wage. We look forward to continuing to serve our loyal customers at our other restaurants throughout Arizona.”

In November, voters approved Proposition 206, which raised the state’s minimum wage from $8.05 to $10 per hour. Many businesses have expressed concern over how they will afford to pay for higher wages, with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and other groups bringing the case to the Arizona Supreme Court. Attorneys argued that the legislation was unconstitutional because it didn’t provide a source of funding for the additional costs it would incur.  The challenge was rejected in Proposition 206 and employers and employees made plans for the future.

As many as 700,000 Arizonans could see raises, but many businesses still remain concerned over how to combat rising costs.

In the notice, Native Grill and Wings invites their valued customers to stop by one last time to say goodbye to it’s staff and distinctive ambiance.

There are twenty nine other locations throughout the state. For more information,  please visit the official website and find a location near you.