Hurricane Katrina has claimed Maxwell’s Restaurant, a dining institution in Vicksburg since the 1960s.

After the restaurant on East Clay Street closed Aug. 29 as a result of a loss of electricity, Virginia Monsour, the owner, decided not to reopen.

The restaurant’s food supply did not go to waste. “We donated it to the Red Cross and to a shelter before it went bad,” Monsour said.

The restaurant building, which will be put up for sale, was built by Frank and Louise Maxwell and later expanded. It had four component rooms.

The Fireplace Room on the west end has been used for civic club meetings and special events. A wing on the east, once called “The Other Side” has been both a venue for parties and, at one time, was among the city’s largest places for a seated dinner.

In between were a bar and lounge area and the restaurant’s main dining area.

“It’s been such a landmark in Vicksburg,” said Mark Chaney, a member of the Vicksburg Lions Club. “Everybody, even people from out of town, knew about Maxwell’s.”

“We think it is rather sad,” said Katherine Chaney, also a Lions Club member, noting the meeting rooms at Maxwell’s were designed to handle such groups as civic clubs.

Since almost the first day it was open, Maxwell’s was known for the the quality of the food served and the service provided by the staff.

The restaurant was purchased from its founders by James “Monk” Monsour in partnership with his wife in 1986. The Maxwell’s name was retained and, since Mr. Monsour’s death in 1989, Virginia Monsour has operated the business with the aid of other family members.

Monsour said the decision to close Maxwell’s was a difficult one, but had been under consideration before the storm.

“We had thought about it,” Monsour said. “Both Garfield (Wright Jr., the head chef) and I are close to retirement age but we weren’t ready.”

Katrina changed that. Even though power was off for only a few days, a decision was made in favor of a clean break.

Monsour said she will miss the many customers who had made the business a success for many years, including members of the three civic clubs meeting there each week.

“They have been like family to us,” she said.

Ken Rector, president of the Vicksburg Rotary Club, said the affinity was mutual. “Maxwell’s has been wonderful to us,” he said, pointing out the owners and staff had done many things for the club that went beyond just providing a place to meet and food.

“Virginia kept up with our badges, and that’s how we keep up with attendance,” Rector said.

“I hate to see her close,” said Charles Abraham, a Rotarian for many years. “I wish her good luck.”

Also looking for a new home is Vicksburg Kiwanis Club. That group’s president, Bob Bell, said the clubs will be hard-pressed to find a place to meet.