Woody’s Gets Its Downtown Wings

Trays of meatballs, mac ​‘n’ cheese, wings, and more wings lined the countertop of Linwood ​“Woody” Lacy’s restaurant for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating Woody’s Wings’ new location in the heart of downtown.

A crowd of roughly 60 city officials, friends, family members, and faithful customers gathered in the restaurant on Thursday morning for that ribbon-cutting celebration at 91 Church St. The event marked the official move downtown of a restaurant that had originally been on Whalley Avenue.

Woody and his wife Lachelle took the podium to thank family, friends, and city officials for their support when ​“things were rough.”

“We wouldn’t be here without her,” Woody said pointing to city Deputy Director of Economic Development Cathy Graves. He teared up recognizing her for her support through the years, calling her a ​“guardian angel.” 

He added that they received two grants from the Community Foundation’s new Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem program, a total of $17,000. He said he plans to use the newest $7,000 to distribute his very own ​“Woody’s Signature Sauce” and secure a liquor license, a step toward his goal of having a bar in his new place.

Their family-owned and operated business began in 2016 inside their third-floor apartment in Westville with just three flavors of wings.

He recounted his long and often difficult path to this moment, reaching back in time to when he was a ​“knucklehead” who ended up incarcerated at 17. Woody went from cooking mofongo in prison to learning professional cooking skills working at the New Haven Lawn Club years later. He said he prospered during the pandemic, despite products being so expensive his business stayed strong. He cooked and sold wings from ​“two gas grills and a tent in his backyard,” childhood friend Ami Murphy said. 

Lachelle said having this prime spot downtown ​“feels like a dream.” When she had to leave the much smaller location in Westville almost a year ago, she said she never imagined having a location so nice. Now their business is as successful as ever, with space for customers to dine in, and a menu with 46 flavors of wings, eggrolls, salads, and much more.

Woody credited Lachelle, who graduated from the city’s small business academy in 2019, for their success.

Mayor Justin Elicker declared during Thursday’s ceremony, ​“The weather today is hot, and this business is hotter.” 

The crowd shuffled towards the back of the room where tables formed the beginning of a buffet line prepared by the Lacy family. Ronald Huggins, a longtime friend and customer of Woody’s and a top city youth services official, pointed out the honey cajun wings as his favorite. ​“Hands down the best flavor,” he said.

Woody said everything he does is for his family. His son Xavier, 16, and daughter Caylah, 21, both work for the restaurant, and his 8‑year-old son Layden is keen to do the same when he’s older. Woody said he distributes free meals from his restaurant to around 20 families in need per week, and said he relates to their struggles and wants to give back.