Lookout Steakhouse is closing. Here’s why.

It’s no trick. Lookout Steakhouse in downtown Gulfport will close its doors Oct. 31.

On Tuesday, owner Rob Stinson posted on his Facebook page: “Effective October 31, the Lookout Steakhouse will be close its doors permanently. What is more important to us than anything is you — our customers! Thank you for all of your support over the years. As difficult as this is, you have already shown us such strength in this very emotional time.”

“The lease is up Nov. 1,” Stinson said Tuesday afternoon. “There are some people who are really interested in coming in here, and they’re willing to pay above the market rate.”

The staff already knew before he posted on Facebook.

“I let the staff know two days ago,” he said.

The restaurant began as Long Beach Lookout in 2002 in the harbor. When Hurricane Katrina destroyed it in August 2005, Stinson opened Lookout 49 on U.S. 49 in Gulfport — 21 days after the hurricane struck.

Lookout Steakhouse opened in spring 2011 at 26th Avenue and 13th Street.

SunHerald.com is working on an updated report.

This story was originally published September 6, 2016 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Lookout Steakhouse is closing. Here’s why.."