Borrello’s, a restaurant and bar operating downtown on Washington Street for seven years, closed its doors for the final time Friday night and owner Charles Borrello blamed the downturn in the economy for the closure.

“Things in the last few years have been decreasing,” he said. “It’s just part of the economy.

He added, “It’s time for me to move on. I was given an opportunity that I’ve gotten a lot of knowledge from.”

A New Orleans native, Borrello moved to Vicksburg from Biloxi in 1998 and began a job as restaurant manager for Farraddays’ Steakhouse at the city’s first casino, the Isle of Capri.

After four years, he opened his restaurant.

“Vicksburg has given me plenty of opportunities,” he said.

At the Borrello’s bar Friday afternoon, Glenn Malke described himself as a longtime patron.

“I’m sad to see it close,” said Malke, who moved to Vicksburg with his wife, Brenda, eight years ago. “I’m going to miss the camaraderie.”

“If there was a ‘Cheers’ in Vicksburg, this would be the ‘Cheers of Vicksburg,’” he said, referring to the 1980s TV sitcom set in a neighborhood bar in Boston.

The Borrello’s building is owned by Harry Sharp, the president of the downtown Main Street Program and owner of The Duff Green Mansion.

Sharp and his family restored the building in the late 1980s and operated Duff’s Tavern there for some years before Borrello’s.

“I’m very sad about Charlie leaving and closing,” Sharp said Friday. “But you have to look at the opportunity for someone else to come in and open business.”

The restaurant employed 20 people.

About five other restaurants operate along Washington Street in the downtown area.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com