KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Michael Chase, the owner of the Copper Cellar Corporation, is facing another sexual harassment lawsuit. It was filed in Knox County Chancery Court on June 22, naming both Chase and the business itself as defendants.
The woman who filed the lawsuit has accused Chase of making sexual comments towards her, other employees and even customers multiple times. She claimed each of the 37 instances listed in the lawsuit happened within the last year, though stated she had worked for Copper Cellar — first on Cumberland Avenue then on Kingston Pike near West Town Mall — for more than 30 years.
The accusations thrown at Chase are serious. The lawsuit lists multiple times the Copper Cellar owner asked the woman for sexual acts or threatened her with firing when she didn’t comply.
For example, one instance claimed Chase had told the woman “come sit on daddy’s lap,” to which she responded “Mike, stop it.” According to the lawsuit, Chase also commented on the woman’s age and her appearance multiple times and used racial slurs while in the business.
The lawsuit also claims that the woman approached other members of company management about Chase’s advances multiple times, but was told “none of us have the ability to do anything.” The lawsuit has claimed Copper Cellar has no sexual harassment policy, making it impossible for other leadership to stop Chase’s actions.
“Copper Cellar has no effective sexual harassment policy in place to protect female employees from owner Michael Chase,” the lawsuit says. “Plaintiff was told repeatedly that there is nothing management could to to protect her against sexual harassment from Michael Chase.”
When it comes to legal standing, the lawsuit has listed several counts against both Chase and the corporation, including harassment, battery and violation of the Tennessee Human Rights Act.
As for what the woman is asking for, the lawsuit lists $3,000,000 each in from Chase and the corporation in punitive damages and $1,500,000 each in compensatory damages. That’s in addition to other costs, like her attorney’s fees.
The Copper Cellar family of restaurants is a staple of the Knoxville area. Chase’s businesses include Calhoun’s, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Corner 16, Cappuccino’s, Chesapeake’s and Cherokee Grill.
Chase did not immediately reply with a comment or statement.
Copyright 2026 WVLT. All rights reserved.
Dining and Cooking