Finnigan’s Wake to reopen this summer

Finnigan’s Wake will be reopening soon, according to new owner Brian Cole.

Cole will be the new operator of the longtime downtown fixture, and heads The Cole Group, a team of partners that operates businesses primarily in the special event and hospitality sector.

Finnigan’s Wake was started in 2006 by Philip “Opie” Kirby and John Cahoon. It closed in October 2021.

Cole is co-owner of the Silver Moon Saloon (the next-door neighbor of Finnigan’s), Hoots Beer Company, and runs the regional event company Random Task Management.

Disclosure: Reporter James Douglas works for Silver Moon Saloon and Hoots Beer Company.

“We decided to buy Finnigan’s after Opie approached us about the possibility,” Cole said. “Aside from a friendship there and a love of the restaurant itself, the business is exactly what we are looking for.”

The new Finnigan’s expects to have old favorites like the annual St. Patrick’s Day Party and plans to continue the long tradition of charitable events like St. Baldricks and the Giving Tree. Some previous management and staff have stayed through the transition to help make the reopening as seamless as possible. Long standing menu items, beer selection and liquor choices are expected to return.

“Trade Street needs more active businesses in the 600 block,” Cole said. “We are eager to restart Finnigan’s and attempt to carry on the spirit that Opie and his team built.”

Finnigan’s expects to reopen in early summer.

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