WORCESTER – City resident Kyle Pursell, 36, is working toward opening the former location of the Dive Bar, at 34 Green St., this summer. Pursell says the Corner Dive appears to be on track for opening in late June.
Pursell has led significant work in what will be the Corner Dive, including floors completely redone and leveled, both bathrooms refurbished, and the bar completely refurbished. Purcell hopes to create a bar that anyone from any walk of life can walk into.
Prior to becoming the owner of the Corner Dive, Pursell served in the U.S. Army as a scout, which included a 13-month combat tour in Iraq starting in 2009 and serving four months in Afghanistan in 2013. His tour in Afghanistan ended after being struck in a rocket attack, sustaining serious injuries.
Pursell told This Week in Worcester that he’s struggled with survivor’s guilt after serving in war, and even more so after the suicide of his mother when he was 18 years old. He said he’s worked with others struggling with mental health issues from military service and others who lost family to suicide.
Part of the motivation for starting his business is to honor his mother, who encouraged him to pursue his professional ambitions “by any means.”
Pursell also served as a police officer in Lexington and a police detective in Framingham until January 2026.
Some news reporting on Pursell’s planned opening of the Corner Dive focussed on his previous employment as a detective at the Framingham Police Department. Purcell resigned from the position in January 2026 while on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation for misconduct.
The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission revoked Pursell’s certification after he resigned during the police internal investigation. Pursell says he’s uninterested in police work in the future.
Pursell told This Week in Worcester that the attention on his previous employment is both frustrating and confusing.
“I don’t agree with all the misconduct allegations made against me, but there is no doubt that I made mistakes,” Pursell said. “I did what I thought was the honorable thing and resigned. I’m moving on with my life.”
The Framingham Police Department completed its internal investigation in February. No criminal charges were filed.
