In every great community, there are people who become part of its heartbeat. Entrepreneurs who do more than operate businesses — they create gathering places, preserve culture, and help shape the identity of a neighborhood over decades. In Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Wings & Pizza owner Gary Bouvier has become one of those people.
Bouvier’s story is deeply connected to hospitality, entrepreneurship, food culture, and the LGBTQ community. Growing up with two gay uncles and a lesbian aunt, he was surrounded by acceptance and authenticity from a young age. That upbringing created a lifelong comfort and connection with the LGBTQ community that would later define much of his career and friendships.
One of the most influential people in Gary’s life was his Uncle Rick, founder of Wilton Wings in 2007. When Rick passed away in 2017, the future of the beloved restaurant became uncertain.
At the time, Bouvier had already retired at 37 from a successful career as a stockbroker and was operating Dream Wine Lounge, an upscale concept in Wilton Manors. In fact, he was on his way to secure a second location when the opportunity arose to take over Wilton Wings.
For Bouvier, the decision was never simply financial.
Ultimately, he chose to honor his uncle’s legacy and preserve a popular local gathering place that meant so much to the community. The rest, as they say, is history.
Already a respected figure in Fort Lauderdale hospitality, Bouvier quickly elevated Wilton Wings into one of South Florida’s most recognized destinations. Under his leadership, the restaurant earned numerous accolades, including Top 10 Best Chicken Wing Restaurant in Broward/Palm Beach by New Times and multiple “Best Wings in Fort Lauderdale” awards from Fort Lauderdale Magazine from 2021 through 2025.
And the recognition is well deserved. The wings are incredible — consistently among the best in South Florida for years. More recently, Wilton Wings & Pizza has also become known for its outstanding New York-style pizza and authentic Boston South Shore Bar Pizza, featuring crispy caramelized “laced edges” rarely found anywhere in Florida.
Bouvier’s creativity extended beyond Wilton Wings. During the COVID era, he launched Gastrothèque on Sunrise Boulevard, an upscale culinary destination featuring Michelin-level chefs. The restaurant became one of Broward County’s hottest dining spots before suffering a devastating overnight fire during its third year.
But resilience has always been part of Bouvier’s story.
After briefly selling the restaurant in 2023, Bouvier reclaimed ownership in March 2025, remodeled the kitchen, brought back much of his original award-winning staff, and immediately reignited the energy that made the restaurant so successful in the first place.
Today, Wilton Wings & Pizza continues to thrive at 1428 NE 4th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, serving customers Sunday through Thursday from 11AM–1AM and Friday through Saturday from 11–3 a.m.
Bobby Blair is an LGBTQ media pioneer and leader known for his philanthropic work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. A Florida native, he lives in Fort Lauderdale with his longtime partner, Brian Neal. Blair was inducted into the GLBT Hall of Fame in 2015.
