Archibald's Owner Reflects On Election Win, Talks Plans

NORTHPORT, AL. — Temperature gauges read 90 degrees Thursday as Northport businessman, and now councilman-elect, Woodrow Washington worked in the heat to take down a wooden frame for a large campaign sign in front of Archibald's BBQ on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

For Washington, the campaign is finally over after unseating incumbent District 2 Councilman Jay Logan in Tuesday's Municipal Election by the narrowest of margins — 19 votes.

"I've always seen a need in the community and I'm trying to help fill that need," Washington said in an interview with Patch. "I want to be someone that will help connect the bridges back from City Hall to the community."

The third-generation business owner has run unsuccessfully for office twice before, including a failed bid for mayor of Northport four years ago. As the cliché goes, the third time was indeed the charm for Washington.

Looking back over his successful campaign, Washington said he ran on a platform that focused on bringing a host of different services to Northport, aimed at helping the range of citizens not just in his district, but across all five council districts.

"I want youth centers, Boys and Girls Clubs or some other type of center for kids at least to have an option to go," he said. "Right now, there are no options. I'm also trying to be a strong voice for seniors and those without voices, but I want to build back that community pride and support small business."

Despite an ongoing pandemic, business was still busy for Washington during the lunch hour on Thursday. First opened by Washington's family in 1962, the Archibald's and Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ brands have become institutions in the area culinary scene, but faced the same set of challenges levied against the food service industry from the onset of the crisis. Fortunately, a steady stream of cars pulled in the lot for curbside service and underscored how Archibald's has adapted to the current climate.

Washington said being a small business owner gives him the necessary perspective to connect with local business leaders in need of help during a sustained period of economic downturn.

Growing up in the restaurant business, Washington said he never really "started" working in the family business, because he has done it his entire life. He opened his own restaurant in Tuscaloosa under the Archibald and Woodrow's name in 2002 and has since taken over the operations for the family's locations on both sides of the river.

"These are tough times," he said. "I'm a small business owner and there have been times I was on the brink of closing, so I know what a person feels like right now. I'm just going to try to be a good source for the small business world."

One of his goals to better connect with the community is to form a committee made of up five to seven people from around District 2 to provide him insight on the specific and individual needs of his constituents.

"I'm hoping to create a committee like that, that could help me," he said. "At the end of the day, I can make a decision, but I would love to have input from people from different parts of the district."

A retiree of the United States Air Force and the Tuscaloosa Fire Department, Washington expressed his dedication to public service and said his hope is to forward the entire city of Northport, not just the fortunes of his district.

"With being passionate with what you're talking about, it's also important to have your heart in the right place," he said. "My district — District 2 — is in dire need, but all districts are in need, so we have to work together to build everybody up."