Sauced, a local pizzeria located in Mercer Village, closed its doors in December 2019.

In its place, JAG’s Pizzeria & Pub, named after the last names of co-owners Richie Jones, Brian Adams and Ryan Griffin, is slated to open in early spring. General Manager Lisa Williams said that they plan to be open by the end of February or the beginning of March. 

Williams said that they hope to be open by the start of March Madness, the yearly NCAA basketball tournament.

JAG’s will offer a full bar, arcade games, multiple televisions for watching sports and both indoor and outdoor seating. Williams said she also expects to have trivia nights and live music.

“We’re adding in about eight more TVs in here, we’re bringing in new equipment and we’re building an arcade room,” Williams said.

Williams wants to offer an atmosphere that is centered around entertainment in a more modern venue. 

“It’s definitely going to be more lively. A fun atmosphere… I think the entertainment is what needs to happen over here (in Mercer Village) so students don’t have to go downtown to have fun,” Williams said. 

JAG’s Pizzeria & Pub will have bartop charging stations, outdoor eating areas that are pet and smoker friendly and will also accept Bear Bucks.

The restaurant hopes to attract business from Mercer students by offering drink specials.

“There will definitely be some kind of happy hour specials, we just don’t know what that will be yet,” Williams said. 

The new restaurant will also serve all of Sauced’s pizza recipes, but will likely have a more simplified menu.

Williams wants to be able to provide an entertaining spot that customers can watch a wide array of sports events as well as Mercer games. 

“It’s going to be pretty much a pizza sports bar,” she said. “I wish I had one of those in college.”