Knoxville native opening Fort Sanders tavern

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Knoxville native Kevin Niceley is back in Knoxville and opening Niceley's Tavern in Fort Sanders at the site where long-time watering hole Hawkeye's used to be. Niceley, the former owner of the Mercury Theater and for the past 11 years lived in Florida, plans to use beef and vegetables supplied by his aunt and uncle who own a farm in Rutledge.

KNOXVILLE — After more than a decade in Florida, Knoxville native Kevin Niceley is back and opening Niceley's Tavern this month in Fort Sanders at the site where longtime watering hole Hawkeye's Corner used to be.

Located off 17th Street, Niceley's Tavern will have two bars and will serve food, which Niceley plans to source as much locally as possible, including from three family farms.

"All three farms will be contributing produce, beef, lamb and goat if anyone ever wants it," he said. "We'll be using other suppliers as well."

The menu will feature mostly hamburger from Angus beef as well as Memphis-style barbecue from his brother, who competed with the Natural Born Grillers, a Mississippi-based competitive barbecue cooking team. All side dishes will be from locally grown produce, including sweet potatoes.

"We're a bar with healthy, good food," he said.

Since Hawkeye's closed, the two-story converted house has been several establishments, though it has sat empty for the last two years.

Niceley has been working on fixing up the building, doing most of the work himself.

"I thought it needed me as much as I needed it," he said. "She's a good old building still."

Niceley said he loved the place when it was Hawkeye's, where he said he had memories of Animal Hour, a happy hour that featured 3-for-1 drink specials.

Using wood from a sawmill on his family's farm, he has built new tables and booths as well as a small stage for acoustic acts.

Niceley was the proprietor of Mercury Theater on Market Square, where Preservation Pub now is, from 1992 to 1998. Later he opened Neptune off Jackson Avenue in the Old City and operated it until 2000. He left Knoxville for Daytona, Fla., where he spent the last 11 years as owner of two bars that he recently sold, including one named Niceley's Tavern.

Business writer Carly Harrington may be reached at 865-342-6317.

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