After 46 years, a Jacksonville barbecue institution known for its signature Baby Back Ribs, Memphis-style Spare Ribs, and other Southern slow-smoked staples is closing — but only temporarily as its owner plans to relocate the restaurant.
The Original Woody's Bar-B-Que will shut its doors Sept. 30 at 1638 University Blvd. S. at Atlantic Boulevard, where its co-founders, Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman, launched the restaurant on July 1, 1980.
Consistently named a Jacksonville favorite for classic Southern barbecue and hospitality, the restaurant will reopen at a new location, which is being finalized, Jason Chinn, chief branding officer for Woody's parent company Greater Purpose Restaurant Group, told the Times-Union in an exclusive interview.
"We are currently in the process of literally deciding between a couple of different opportunities or options," said Chinn, noting that the potential new locations are both in Jacksonville.
The roughly 3,647-square-foot one-story restaurant was built in 1973. Mills and Mills-Mawman still own the building and 0.38-acre lot, according to Duval County property records.
Chinn said although business was still good at the barbecue, the market "has changed quite a bit, especially in that area."
"We've seen other restaurants in our immediate area at the location kind of shut their doors as well in recent years," he said of a contributing factor to the relocation decision.
The bottom line, he said, is new opportunities have arisen.
"It's really about we've just been approached. We've been fortunate to have a couple other opportunities in different locations within Jacksonville that we just think would be a better opportunity overall for our restaurant," he said.
Chinn added they expect to select the new location "shortly."
"We'll still have the same footprint in the Jacksonville market that we currently do have. We're just as invested in Jacksonville and the community as we always have been for going on 50 years now," said Chinn, emphasizing that Woody's isn't leaving the city where it was founded.
New location but familiar menu and friendly faces
Woody's embraced its Southern roots. The restaurant has earned multi-generations of loyal diners. Customer favorites include the signature Baby Back Ribs, Memphis Ribs, Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Brisket, Mesquite Grilled Chicken, Sloppy Woody Sandwich and more.
Equally popular are sides such as Mac & Cheese, Collards, Cole Slaw and BBQ. Topping the desserts are Banana Pudding and Sky High Pie.
"We anticipate keeping the same menu … What we've done has worked pretty well for a while, and we don't want to interfere with that," he said.
Chinn said the restaurant's employees will have the opportunity to move to the new restaurant or one of Woody's other Jacksonville-area locations.
Barbecue changing of the guard: Woody's co-founders passed the torch
Greater Purpose Restaurant Group — led by longtime Woody's franchisee Jack Dunsmoor and his partner Kelly Harris — acquired Woody's in October 2025 when Mills and Mills-Mawman retired.
The Jacksonville-based restaurant group also owns Village Bread Cafe, The Grove at Orange Park Country Club and EFS Catering.
Mills-Mawman, who previously served as Woody's president, praised Dunsmoor and Harris as they took the reins of the landmark barbecue chain founded in Jacksonville that steadily expanded to multiple locations over the years.
"I do not doubt that they will carry on Woody’s devotion to our patrons, the communities we serve, and the quality of the food on which we founded our company," Mills-Mawman said in a Woody's news release published by Franchising.com announcing the ownership change.
At that time, Dunsmoor and Harris had been Woody's operators for more than a decade. He noted they both were excited to build on the barbecue legacy that Mills and Mills-Mawman had established.
“Kelly and I believe in our teammates, franchisees, vendors, and guests who support the Woody's Bar-B-Q brand daily," Dunsmoor said in the news release.
Woody's continues expanding barbecue footprint
Woody's other Florida restaurants include: 5930 Powers Ave. in Jacksonville; 1301 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs; 1482 South 6th St. in Macclenny; 1593 N. Nova Road in Holly Hill; 19501 U.S. 27 in Lake Wales; 2227 West New Haven Ave. in West Melbourne; 13600 U.S. 1, Suite 18 in Sebastian; and 902 S 6th Ave. in Wauchula, according to its website.
Chinn said they recently opened a Woody's in Durham, N.C., and a second location there is expected to open in about three months. In addition, an Atlanta, Ga. restaurant will be coming soon, as well as a second Melbourne restaurant, he said.
Celebration marking original restaurant's history with 1980 menu price
Chinn said they're planning a celebration Sept. 30 at the University Boulevard restaurant. Mills is scheduled to be among the honored guests at the event, focusing on the restaurant's history and thanking the community for its support.
"What we're doing with the University location, more than anything, is a celebration not only of the last 46 years of being in the Jacksonville community and serving the community," Chinn said. "But it's a celebration of our founders, of all our guests who've come through our doors during that period of time. That's our main focus."
Chinn said on that last day, they plan to serve a barbecue pulled pork sandwich with a side of French fries for the original 1980 menu price of $1.90.
"It's really just a celebration of our community and all the people who made us feel so honored to serve the community for all these years," Chinn said.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Original Woody's Bar-B-Que restaurant closing, planning to move
