JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s oldest and longest continuously operating barbecue restaurant is staying open thanks to overwhelming community support and assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
Last week, News4JAX reported Holley’s Bar-B-Q — which has been a staple in Jacksonville since 1937 — was on the verge of closing its doors after serving the community for nearly 90 years.
Now, thanks to community support, assistance from JSO, and our coverage of the story, that has all changed.
Wendy Holley, the owner of the historic business, told News4JAX that she is ecstatic and overwhelmed with gratitude. She mentioned that after our report last week, business picked up and she no longer worries about closing the shop.
“The community has really come through,” Holley said. “The elders, just the people in the neighborhood, everybody stepped up.”
GOFUNDME: Help Wendy Holley Preserve Jacksonville’s Oldest Eatery | Related: Oldest barbecue stand in the River City continues to help the community
Located on Moncrief Road, the historical landmark was passed down by Wendy’s father, Julius Holley, who spent his whole life in this community. The Black-owned, family-run business has two claims to fame: It’s the oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville -- and it’s said to be where curly fries were invented. The restaurant withstood segregation, desegregation, and multiple recessions. The only other restaurant older than Holley’s Bar-B-Q was Beach Road Fish House & Chicken Dinners on Atlantic Boulevard, which unfortunately closed its doors in 2023.
For a moment, Holley thought she’d have to give it all up because of financial trouble from previous break-ins. But the community stepped in and donated close to $9,000 to her GoFundMe and came out in droves to support.
“I actually had a guy that I knew personally my whole life bring a donation to buy something that we needed in the building,” Holley told News4JAX. “I cried I really did.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also reached out and investigated the shop break-ins. JSO is also working hand in hand with Holley and the rest of the community to reduce crime in the area.
“We have added some proactive police units to the area, and we are combating as much as the crime as we can, including the drug activity, the alcohol violations, the traffic violations, even bicycle violations that occur here in this area,” Chuck Ford, District Commander of District 6, said. “We’re trying to protect not only the public but also allow the business owners in this area to have a quality of life.”
News4JAX asked Holley what’s next for the restaurant. And the news was huge.
“The City of Jax will start, I think it’s the first or the second week of November... I was in a meeting after you guys, and all the contracts have been approved and went through, so they’re giving me a historical grant to restore the building, to redo everything out here. So, this will probably be the last time you see it like this.”
Holley said the grant will allow her to redo not only the building but the fencing, windows, awning, counters and more.
“The GoFundMe, thanks to you, will be the money I will use for the inside,” Holley said. “My GoFundMe was at a standstill before you put it on the news and now we are halfway there.”
Throughout the years, Wendy has given back to the community by giving away free food on Thanksgiving, sponsoring local athletic teams, and so much more. She is now asking for help to keep the legacy alive.
News4JAX is thrilled to help our local community and wishes Holley’s Bar-B-Q the utmost best.