Saint Clare Collective Opens in Historic Bearden Chapel
A faith-centered retail store and gift shop has opened in an 1880s chapel at 5902 Kingston Pike, after a planned Taco Bell site fell through.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Saint Clare Collective held its grand opening on November 1 in the historic chapel at 5902 Kingston Pike. The site was previously slated to become a Taco Bell with a drive-thru.
Why it matters
The store fills a local gap left by the 2024 closing of The Paraclete Catholic book and gift store, offering faith-based keepsakes for occasions such as baptisms and weddings. The reuse of the historic chapel also preserves a Knoxville-area landmark.
The chapel at 5902 Kingston Pike was built in the 1880s and was purchased by Tony Cappiello in 2017. Its 2024 listing for sale carried a requirement that the building be moved or relocated.
The players
Saint Clare Collective
A newly opened faith-centered retail store and gift shop occupying the historic chapel at 5902 Kingston Pike.
Allie Fleming
The owner who led the renovation of the chapel and founded Saint Clare Collective.
Tony Cappiello
The property owner who bought the chapel in 2017 with the intent of preserving and renting the church.
Taco Bell
The fast-food chain that had pursued plans for a sit-down and drive-thru restaurant on the chapel site.
The details
Allie Fleming and family and friends renovated the chapel, repurposing original church pews and bookshelves. The store sells religious and nonreligious items, including books, rosaries, nativities, devotional candles, home décor, women's clothing, jewelry, Vols merchandise, toys, vintage pieces and work by local makers.
Timeline
2017: Tony Cappiello purchased the property intending to preserve and rent the church.
2024: The Paraclete Catholic book and gift store closed, and the chapel was placed for sale.
2025: Taco Bell pursued plans for a drive-thru restaurant on the property.
November 1, 2026: Saint Clare Collective held its grand opening.
Market Landscape
The Paraclete Catholic book and gift store closed in 2024, leaving a gap in faith-based retail in the area. Saint Clare Collective's opening partly fills that gap with religious goods alongside a broader mix of local and nonreligious merchandise.
Knoxville residents seeking faith-based keepsakes for baptisms, weddings and holidays now have a local option at 5902 Kingston Pike. The store also carries everyday items such as women's clothing, jewelry and toys.
The takeaway
Adaptive reuse of historic religious buildings can keep landmarks in community use when they face sale or demolition. Shoppers looking for faith-based gifts can check the store's offerings before visiting.
Further reading
For more local business openings and closures, browse Openings & Closings in Knoxville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Knoxville News Sentinel.
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