Fri, March 29, 2024

Location for Wild Wing Cafe return to Augusta is approved

Dozens of wing sauces and live music will be making a wild comeback in the Garden City soon.

On March 7th, the planning commission recommended the rezoning of the two single-family homes—which sit less than a half-mile from the entrance to the Village at Riverwatch shopping center anchored by Costco.

Wild Wing Cafe’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rian Kirkman said WWC is beyond excited to be coming back to Augusta. (Photo provided)

Late Tuesday afternoon, City of Augusta commissioners approved the rezoning of 1046 and 1050 Alexander Drive to make way for the return of the Wild Wing Cafe franchise to Augusta.

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The prototype Wild Wing Cafe two-story restaurant and bar will be located in between the Glen at Alexander apartments and Fire Station #10 and across the street from several residential neighborhoods.

Wild Wing Cafe’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rian Kirkman traveled to Augusta for the commission meeting from company headquarters in Charlotte.

“We’re beyond excited.” He said WWC will continue its philanthropic efforts in Augusta through its Little Kids Rock foundation to help provide music equipment and guidance for area music teachers.

“Zac Brown played at the former Wild Wing Cafe during the formative years of his music career, Darius Rucker signed his first record deal playing at our restaurant in Hilton Head, and Luke Combs performed at our Asheville Wild Wing Cafe,” said Kirkman.

The prototype calls for a stage inside and outside—and that is the plan in Augusta to reclaim its hold on good food, drinks, sports on TV, and live music.

Construction cannot begin on the 1.8-acre piece of property until discussions happen with current tenants of the single-family homes, clearing, and grading of the land, and demolition.

The goal is to have a grand opening in late 2022, but the new franchisee from the All-Star Hospitality, LLC Company just wants to make sure he’s open for the 2023 Masters tournament.

With 1.8 acres of land and a 7,000 square footprint, this Wild Wing Cafe will be larger than the average one across the 40-unit company.

This is a preview of a design of the newer Wild Wing Cafe being built across the United States. The one on Alexander will be similar and is expected to feature indoor and outdoor patio stage areas. (Courtesy Wild Wing Cafe Corporate)

The company is headquartered in Charlotte and owned by Axum Capital Partners. It’s headed by former Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver Muhsin Muhammad—and the plans are to expand to 100 stores during this decade.

Much work was done behind the scenes through relationships formed with Augusta’s Economic Development Authority and with the City of Augusta.

“The developer approached the surrounding neighborhoods and had a mostly positive response. The location on Alexander helps guide and connect towards the shopping center with Costco as well as adds to the neighborhood restaurant idea that used to be prevalent in the past,” said Augusta Commissioner Brandon Garrett.

The Wild Wing Cafe will be a few miles from its former home at 3035 Washington Road, where the Scholer family had the franchise and the building for 19 years. They ended their relationship with corporate in July 2021 and flipped the WWC restaurant in Augusta and Grovetown into a “Doc’s Porchside,” which has been open since.

All-Star Hospitality, LLC is the franchisee that owns the Alexander Drive properties and will be constructing the Wild Wing Cafe there and then in Grovetown.

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