After 46 years on University Boulevard, Woody’s Bar-B-Q is closing its Jacksonville location but plans to relocate and reopen elsewhere in the city.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After 46 years at 1638 University Blvd. S., Woody’s Bar-B-Q has closed the Jacksonville location where the chain began.

The restaurant opened July 1, 1980, and Sept. 30 was its final day. Woody’s plans to remain in Jacksonville and reopen at a new location, with two sites under consideration and a goal of opening before the end of 2026.



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For its final day, the restaurant brought back its original $1.90 Bar-B-Q Pork Sandwich with fries.

Longtime customer Carolyn Meisenburg, who has visited since the 1980s, said the restaurant has changed little over the years.

“The food’s just as good, and the place is pretty much the same.”

She said she was glad Woody’s would remain in Jacksonville.

“It’s good to see that they’re not totally going away, even though this location is turning down.”

Jack Dunsmoor, a partner with Greater Purpose Restaurant Group, which owns the Woody’s Bar-B-Q franchise company, said the aging building needs significant upgrades. After weighing renovation costs against relocation, the company decided moving made more financial sense.

“It just made more financial sense to move it to another location.”

Dunsmoor said the move is part of a broader transformation for Woody’s.

“Woody’s was the innovator in the restaurant industry for many years. And we’re bringing that back.”

The company is also introducing new menu items, including beef ribs. The existing Woody’s location at 5930 Powers Ave. remains open.

Longtime customer Bill Murphy said keeping Woody’s in Jacksonville matters as other businesses in the area have closed.

“Too many businesses closing down right in this area.”

Dunsmoor said the response to the final-day special exceeded expectations.

“The amount of love that we’re getting from the community has been just very inspiring. Very heartwarming to see all the folks that are coming in and wanting to give us a good send-off for our next adventure.”

The University Boulevard location is now closed, but Woody’s Bar-B-Q plans to reopen elsewhere in Jacksonville.