Kyle, a veteran Black Hawk pilot, instructor, instrument
flight examiner, master gunner, trainer and evaluator of others, alongside his
wife, Brenda, have owned Harvey’s, a tavern in Beech Grove, “Where Good Friends
Meet,” for the past 10 months.
Kevin "Brick" Kyle pictured inside Harvey's
“It’s a joy. I enjoy the people,” Kyle said. “It’s been very
enjoyable and different at times. We’ve seen a lot of progress as far as the
number of customers. It’s been steady.”
Harvey’s has been part of Beech Grove’s downtown strip for
nearly 70 years. Established in 1949, it had a long-standing reputation of
being the best bar in town, according to Kyle. But, during the past decade or
so that seemed to change. Its longtime owners retired in 2005, he said, and
customers shared with them that business had declined.
“We didn’t know why numbers were down until customers
started telling us this past February,” he said without elaborating. The Kyles
bought the tavern on Feb. 1. “The word is out that there are new owners, so
it’s turning around.”
The couple freshened up the décor by adding some framed
photos that highlight Kyle’s military career, along with framed photos that
preserve the history of the tavern. Brenda also painted a Black Hawk helicopter
on the tavern’s front wall. They updated the menu, added weekly specials, and
host local entertainment.
While he admitted he is probably like many men who dream of
owning a bar someday, Kyle quickly pointed out that he is not the one in charge
at Harvey’s.
He’s a co-pilot in this new venture.
“She’s the Boss Lady,” he said about Brenda. “She runs
everything. She is the manager of Harvey’s day-to-day operations. I just help
on weekends.”
Throughout the week, his time is spent in Edinburgh where
62-year-old Kyle manages the airfield flight services for Himsel Army Airfield
Atterbury-Muscatatuck Training Center. The position opened its doors to him
upon his civil service and National Guard retirement in 2016.
During his military career, Kyle earned numerous
commendations, completed multiple courses at various military training schools,
and completed several duty assignments.
He was deployed to Guatemala in 1998, completed a tour in
Kuwait in 2001 followed by two tours in Iraq. Kyle was also deployed in the
year 2000 to Montana for forest fire support and in 2005 to the Louisiana area
for Hurricane Katrina. During his retirement ceremony in 2016, Kyle was
presented the “Sagamore of the Wabash” supported by Vice President Mike Pence,
who was Indiana’s Governor at the time.
“Brenda had always wanted to open up a small wine bar,” Kyle
said. “We had been looking.”
A friend told them about Harvey’s being for sale.
“I liked it because it was about the right size for a
neighborhood bar,” Kyle said. “It allows for a nice crowd with entertainment
and it’s a place where neighborhood people can come and not feel like they’re
being crowded out by other visiting customers. People like a place they can
call their own. There’s room for everyone here.”
Plus, there is an area next door awaiting future development
for Brenda to possibly offer art classes, wine and canvas events, and
children’s events, he said. “We have no grandiose plans to become millionaires,” Kyle
said. “We just want to make a few extra bucks and enjoy working here.”
Changes to the 614 Main Street gathering spot will happen
gradually, the first of which will be noticeable sometime after the first of
the year. Harvey’s will be renamed 1949 Tavern to reflect its beginnings.
“We’ll stick to the initial plan, though,” Kyle said. “To
build it into something to attract a regular crowd where they can get a drink
and food.”
Weekly events are posted on social media platforms including
Facebook, Instagram, and the website at: HarveysTavern.com
SOURCE: The Shelbyville News
Story by: Luann Mason
