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Over, done: Morton’s closes

Over, done: Morton’s closes
The Brooklyn Paper / Julie Rosenberg

Morton’s the Steakhouse abruptly closed after three years of flipping T-bones Downtown on Wednesday, baffling carnivores and marking a major culinary closure for a neighborhood where dining destinations have only recently fired up their grills.

Landry’s Inc., a Texas-based hospitality company, purchased the national steakhouse chain on Feb. 1 and company honchos shuttered the Morton’s location at Adams Street near Fulton Street hours later, citing “shifting demographics.”

A spokeswoman from Landry’s, which also owns the angus sellers McCormick & Schmick’s, refused to explain how changing demographics have impacted the eatery. But Landry’s Vice President of Marketing Kris Guthrie insisted they “must close the Morton’s location in Brooklyn.”

Workers tore down Morton’s signature red sign, packed boxes and posted fliers proclaiming the eatery is “closed for business” on Wednesday afternoon — leaving hungry Downtowners with lots of questions.

“It’s too bad — there aren’t a lot of good places to eat downtown,” said Chris James, who works nearby. “I hope a New American restaurant goes in.”