Family Wing Restaurant Opening in Jacksonville’s San Marco

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Bold City Wings is preparing to open at 2016 Hendricks Ave. in San Marco, bringing a family-rooted wing concept back to Jacksonville with a target opening of March 1, according to owner Rhonda Lunsford, who told Business Debut. The fast-casual restaurant marks Lunsford’s return to her hometown after decades operating food businesses in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland markets.

Business Debut learned of this story first from Jacksonville Daily Record.

What to Expect

Bold City Wings centers on made-to-order wings seasoned before cooking, a deliberate departure from sauce-driven wing concepts. Guests will be able to choose between grilled wings, traditional fried wings without breading, or Southern fried wings with a light flour breading. The goal, Lunsford said, is for customers to taste seasoning in the chicken itself, with sauces designed to complement rather than cover the flavor.

The restaurant will operate as a fast-casual concept with indoor seating, a small beer and wine bar, and limited patio seating. Lunsford said the space will accommodate approximately 24 to 30 seats inside, with additional bar-style seating and two small patio tables along the front of the restaurant. She chose the San Marco location for its visibility, foot traffic, and neighborhood feel.

Menu and Vision

The menu is intentionally focused to support high-volume service while maintaining quality. In addition to wings, Bold City Wings will offer shrimp and a short list of sides, including french fries, butter-steamed fresh broccoli, and fried fresh corn on the cob.

Sauces include scratch-made buffalo, lemon pepper, garlic, and several house-developed blends. Among them is a D.C.-style mumbo sauce, a ketchup-based sauce combined with barbecue and heat, reflecting Lunsford’s years operating in the Mid-Atlantic. Sweet chili, teriyaki, and sweet-and-tangy barbecue sauces are also offered, each adjusted in-house to balance with the seasoned wings.

A Fourth-Generation Food Legacy

Bold City Wings is rooted in a family food history that dates back to the 1940s. Lunsford said her grandfather, the Rev. Orion Johnson, and his brothers were butchers who operated stores and worked in grocery markets throughout Jacksonville, particularly on the Eastside. That tradition continued through her father, who later opened Seafood Wings and Things in the Gateway area in the 1990s.

Lunsford entered the business alongside her father before eventually opening and operating multiple wing-focused restaurants in the D.C. and Maryland areas. Her husband, Gilbert “Mean Gene” Lunsford Sr., serves as the chef behind Bold City Wings, building on and expanding the family’s long-standing recipes.

Lunsford’s son, Gilbert Lunsford Jr., represents the fourth generation involved in the business. A college graduate with a background in marketing and communications, he will oversee brand marketing, social media, and serve as a brand ambassador while also learning restaurant operations. Lunsford said his role is central to ensuring the concept and its standards carry forward.

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting a March 1 opening, pending final inspections and preparations.

Hours

Bold City Wings plans to open seven days a week starting at 11 a.m., with closing times based on demand. Weekend hours are expected to run later, while weekday hours will be adjusted as customer patterns emerge.

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