Knoxville pitmaster William Bagley, the restaurateur behind Archer's BBQ, is gearing up for a return to the local scene with a new, still-unnamed barbecue joint that he says will land between downtown and the Happy Holler neighborhood. The spot is the former beer-bar space at 937 N. Central St., and Bagley has been clear that he sees the project as a "second chance" for himself rather than a reboot of Archer's. He has told local reporters he wants a clean slate and does not plan to revive the Archer's brand.
What's planned and where
Bagley is taking over 937 N. Central St., in the building that once housed Hops and Hollers, according to Knox News. The property belongs to landlord Daniel Schuh and, per the report, the layout offers roughly 40 indoor seats plus about 100 spots in an outdoor beer-garden area. Bagley has said he wants the new place to feel like a different chapter for his food and for the team that will run it.
From Archer's to a fresh start
Bagley launched Archer's BBQ in 2011 and eventually expanded it to multiple locations before the restaurants abruptly shut down in 2023, a turn that caught staff and regulars off guard. Tennessee business filings list Archer's Barbeque LLC with Bagley as an owner, and coverage from that period noted employees saying the closures came without much advance warning. Tennessee County Clerk records and contemporary reporting documented that stretch of upheaval.
Bagley's timeline and remarks
Bagley told Knox News that he does not want the new venture to be Archer's BBQ and that he is looking at it as a chance to get things right the second time around. He said the restaurant could be serving customers within the next few months, depending on how quickly permits are approved and build-out work is completed.
What this means for Happy Holler
The project lands in the middle of steady change in and around Happy Holler, where landlords and restaurateurs have been turning over storefronts and nightlife spots in recent months. Local coverage has followed nearby closures and planned replacements along the corridor, underscoring that the neighborhood is still in flux as new operators arrive and long-running venues wind down, according to WVLT.
For now, Bagley has not shared a name, a detailed menu, or a firm opening date. Permit filings and a finalized construction schedule are expected to clarify the rollout in the coming weeks. Observers will be watching public records and Bagley's announcements for confirmation of an official opening day and a full rundown of what will be on the smoker.
