SB 150: Finnies Next Door

Rick Ruszkowski is the general manager of Finnies Next Door.  

It took a tragic accident for he and his wife to make what he says his dream of opening up a bar and restaurant, into a reality.

"Converted it into a bar restaurant, but it had always been a bank previously. "

Finnies Next Door opened its doors April 11th of this year.

The story line of how it started up is unique.

Rick is a former South Bend Police officer.

"It was an injury that would never heal."

On August 17, 2004 he was shot in the line of duty.

He was shot in the right hip.

So he put down his badge and embarked on a new journey with his wife.

"It was always my dream to own my own bar."

Now Finnies Next Door has became a place for anyone to enjoy .

"We wanted an atmosphere where you can be very wealthy and come down and enjoy yourself and feel very wealthy along with a person who sweeps sidewalks for a living, you guys can be side by side and enjoy yourselves and get the same feel."

From pool tables, to drinks, with dining soon to come, Rick and his wife can't wait for their bar to become a South Bend staple.