Some Of Our History

If you like it hot, here is the spot

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Saturday, June 18, 2005.

By BRENNA HUMANN
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - "Kickin' it up a notch" is more than a motto at The Wing Spot, a new restaurant devoted exclusively to family recipes for fresh chicken wings and their delectable sauces.

The Wing Spot's menu is full of home-style family recipes, including partner JoAnn Russell's peach cobbler, partner LeDeana Adams' baked beans and unexpected, enticing fare such as fried cheesecake and sweet potato fries, making the new dine­in, take-out and catering business a one-of-a-kind addition to the Valley's culinary offerings.

The startup celebrated its soft opening Friday, June 17th., with a grand opening set for Friday, June 24th.. Owned by Faithful Ventures Inc., a team of partners established in 2004, the restaurant at 2787 West Ave. L, off 30th Street West, is the realization of the shared vision of spouses Rebecca and Jeff Russell, Jeff's sister Jennifer Russell, his mother JoAnn Russell and family friends Robert and LeDeana Adams.

"My husband was really into the wing thing," Rebecca Russell said. "We all love wings, but he started experimenting, coming up with all the sauces - the more he started making them, and the more we started eating them, the more it seemed like this could be a reality."

In another distinguishing move, the owners have developed recipes so that the comfort foods served up at The Wing Spot can be prepared in as healthy a manner as possible. Only fresh, nonhormonally treated chicken wings go into their dishes, and the restaurant uses cooking oils with zero trans-fat.

"We pay a little more for it, but we have our consciences," Rebecca said, explaining how dietary health concerns became a priority for the group of owners after her personal battle with breast cancer.

Robert Adams, an Air Force veteran who hopes to re-enlist later this year, said the restaurant's goal is to create a more healthy, family-friendly environment for enjoying social foods such as chicken wings - the kinds of foods that are usually pre-prepared and only found in bars or adult venues.

"When people hear the word 'fresh,' they get excited, because everybody knows you can taste the difference. We wanted to provide a different kind of clean, family atmosphere" that can cater to sports fans (the restaurant features several TV s for sports viewing), as well as families, he said.

In establishing the new eatery, the unit in the Stater Brothers shopping center was gutted and redesigned with a bright, relaxing jazz ambiance that features bold colors, natural textures and eye-catching fixtures.

"The community has been really supportive," Russell said. "We couldn't believe the turnout when we were interviewing - there's a real need for employment here," she said, explaining how the owners have often discovered that their employees have dreams of starting their own businesses someday.

Faithful Ventures wants to help make that happen by encouraging franchise developments after establishing a name for itself.
"We want to give people the opportunities they may not have had before, through financial backing, motivation and encouragement," she said. "It's been a long journey to this point, but we just pray that the community continues to support us, so we can branch out."

The Wing Spot offers a 10% discount for all public safety and armed forces.

For details, call (661) 722-2188.
bhumann@ avpress.com