Aldermen who were happy to see Finn’s Bar close in fall 1996 are welcoming a new restaurant in its place at 159th Street and Laramie Avenue.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Victor’s, to be operated by Ron Sowder of Lockport, who promised he will not detour from an upscale restaurant. He earned a reputation as a restaurateur operating a similar establishment in Palos Heights.
Finn’s initially opened as a restaurant, but operators turned it into a nightclub with lingerie shows to turn a profit. After repeated citizen protests, the establishment was forced out of business after the city revoked its liquor license.
Sowder said Victor’s of Oak Forest will seat 120 patrons. The restaurant will operate from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. starting in January.
Victor’s will have a shared parking arrangement with the pancake house across the street. Aldermen suggested the owner of the property also pave a strip just north of the restaurant for additional parking.