Downtown Madison is known for its collection of small businesses throughout the square, including clothing stores, hair salons, and a variety of dining options.
Over the past several years, Wing Nights at Benny Paul’s has become a familiar name among those dining in downtown Madison, thanks in part to its location next to the county courthouse, retro-style interior, and best-selling menu item: sweet Georgia spice wings.
Husband and wife Brince and Emily Benford started the business seven years ago after initially offering wings through Brince’s sister’s business, Benny Paul’s Soul Food.
What began as a small menu addition quickly grew into something more.
The Benfords described Wing Nights’ origins as a “humble beginning” that required a leap of faith as demand for their food continued to grow.
Brince said the response to their wings was almost immediate.
“We started doing wings from [my sister’s] location, answered the phone and advertised ‘Wing Nights at Benny Paul’s’; it took off so quickly that it only made sense for us to separate it,” Brince said.
The move also brought a personal connection for Emily, turning a familiar place from her family’s past into the home of their growing business.
“We actually just kind of started with no bank, no investors, you know, none of that, with our own money. Just faith in God and on a prayer that our business would be successful,” Emily said. “This was actually where we brought our kids to the dentist, and we’re now doing business in the place. So, you never know how things come full circle.”
In six months, the Benfords will celebrate five years of operating Wing Nights at its current location at 193 E. Jefferson St. The business temporarily operated at two locations on Eatonton Road before the couple settled into downtown Madison.
The building itself has a history that helped shape Wing Nights' atmosphere. Before becoming a restaurant, the space housed a small theater and wine bar, and many of the former business’s interior features remain today.
Brince said he and Emily were drawn to the building after seeing its potential.
“We wanted to repurpose, and it gives people the sense of that retro feel,” Brince said. “I tell people that we’re a restaurant that just so happens to have a theater. We utilize that space, and so it has been a great asset, but our focal point is really the dining area, the outside seating area, and the wings and other food.”
When the Benfords purchased the building, they also saw it as an opportunity to continue sharing their faith, particularly given Brince’s role as a pastor.
One of Brince’s favorite aspects of owning a small business, he said, is being able to create opportunities for his family, congregation, and others in the community.
“We’re big on making sure that whatever endeavor we tap into, we have opportunities to share our faith. Anybody who wants to can use it for church meetings, and all different things,” Brince said. “For me, it gives our kids and our grandkids opportunities, along with our parishioners. It’s just been great to help people, and we want to leave a legacy for our children, and an inheritance for our kids.”
The Benfords are now preparing for one of their busiest times of the year as college football returns. In addition to serving customers throughout the season, Emily and Brince are looking forward to adding a catering trailer to their offerings.
The football season brings its share of challenges, Emily said, but the opportunities make it worthwhile.
“[This time of the year] does come with its challenges, but I think that the benefits outweigh that,” Emily said. “We get to meet a lot of great people, we get a lot of residual customers from this time of year, and it makes it all worthwhile.”
As Wing Nights continues to grow, the Benfords hope their experience can serve as an example to other aspiring entrepreneurs in the area.
Emily encouraged other small-business owners to remain committed to their vision, even when things become difficult.
“I think that [small business owners] can look upon us, to ‘touch and see, so you know that it can happen, hold on to your vision, and don’t let go of it no matter how challenging it might be,” Emily said.
The Benfords are already looking toward the next chapter. With Wing Nights now firmly established in downtown Madison, the couple believes the business is ready for its next phase of growth.
“We are excited about the future, expanding to different locations, and have been looking at other places and stuff,” Brince said. “Now that we feel like this particular location is stable enough to branch out, we look forward to continuing to build the brand.”