Arnie Morton: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Arnie Morton opened his first restaurant, the Walton Walk, between Rush Street and Michigan Avenue in the 1950s.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> This paved the way for a partnership with [[Victor Lownes]] and [[Hugh Hefner]], launching the [[Playboy Club]] in 1960.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> Morton was the right-hand man of Hugh Hefner when he launched the Playboy Empire on February 29, 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-07-Sat-2006/news/3723486.html |title=News - NORM: Playboy event 'as good as it gets' |publisher=reviewjournal.com |date= |accessdate=2010-09-21| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101031094243/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-07-Sat-2006/news/3723486.html| archivedate= 31 October 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> He served as Executive Vice President of [[Playboy Enterprises]], where he developed the worldwide chain of [[Playboy Club]]s.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_23_39/ai_n13815502 |title=Steakhouse chain pioneer 'Arnie' Morton dies at 83 | Nation's Restaurant News | Find Articles at BNET.com |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=2005-06-06 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He went out on his own again after ten years,<ref name=ChiTribObit /> partnering with Klaus Fritsch, the food and beverage director of the [[Playboy Club]]s.<ref>[http://insidedenver.com/drmn/spotlight_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23962_5023056,00.html '''Meitus:''' Burger launched chef's career-building alliance : Columns & Blogs : The Rocky Mountain News] {{webarchive |
Arnie Morton opened his first restaurant, the Walton Walk, between Rush Street and Michigan Avenue in the 1950s.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> This paved the way for a partnership with [[Victor Lownes]] and [[Hugh Hefner]], launching the [[Playboy Club]] in 1960.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> Morton was the right-hand man of Hugh Hefner when he launched the Playboy Empire on February 29, 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-07-Sat-2006/news/3723486.html |title=News - NORM: Playboy event 'as good as it gets' |publisher=reviewjournal.com |date= |accessdate=2010-09-21| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101031094243/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-07-Sat-2006/news/3723486.html| archivedate= 31 October 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> He served as Executive Vice President of [[Playboy Enterprises]], where he developed the worldwide chain of [[Playboy Club]]s.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_23_39/ai_n13815502 |title=Steakhouse chain pioneer 'Arnie' Morton dies at 83 | Nation's Restaurant News | Find Articles at BNET.com |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=2005-06-06 |accessdate=2010-09-21}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He went out on his own again after ten years,<ref name=ChiTribObit /> partnering with Klaus Fritsch, the food and beverage director of the [[Playboy Club]]s.<ref>[http://insidedenver.com/drmn/spotlight_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23962_5023056,00.html '''Meitus:''' Burger launched chef's career-building alliance : Columns & Blogs : The Rocky Mountain News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030013530/http://insidedenver.com/drmn/spotlight_columnists/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23962_5023056%2C00.html |date=October 30, 2006 }}</ref> |
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In the 1970s, he and Klitsch opened several successful ventures in Chicago including Arnie's on Chicago's [[Near North Side, Chicago#Gold Coast|Gold Coast]];<ref name=ChiTribObit /> the seafood restaurant LaMer;<ref name=autogenerated1 /> and the disco/night club Zorrine's (named after Morton's wife).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mortons.com/bios/Klaus_Fritsch.pdf |title=Klaus Fritsch: Co-Founder & Vice Chairman Morton's, The Steakhouse |format=PDF |website=[[Morton's The Steakhouse]] |accessdate=August 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=LATimesObit>[http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/31/local/me-morton31 Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'" by Myrna Oliver] May 31, 2005</ref> In 1978, Morton's of Chicago opened in the basement of a [[Near North Side, Chicago|Near North Side]] high-rise in [[Chicago]] adjacent to the existing Arnie's restaurant.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> The menu consisted simply of giant potatoes and large steaks. It was slow at the beginning, but gained a boost when [[Frank Sinatra]] arrived at the restaurant and became a regular.<ref name=LATimesObit /> |
In the 1970s, he and Klitsch opened several successful ventures in Chicago including Arnie's on Chicago's [[Near North Side, Chicago#Gold Coast|Gold Coast]];<ref name=ChiTribObit /> the seafood restaurant LaMer;<ref name=autogenerated1 /> and the disco/night club Zorrine's (named after Morton's wife).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mortons.com/bios/Klaus_Fritsch.pdf |title=Klaus Fritsch: Co-Founder & Vice Chairman Morton's, The Steakhouse |format=PDF |website=[[Morton's The Steakhouse]] |accessdate=August 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=LATimesObit>[http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/31/local/me-morton31 Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'" by Myrna Oliver] May 31, 2005</ref> In 1978, Morton's of Chicago opened in the basement of a [[Near North Side, Chicago|Near North Side]] high-rise in [[Chicago]] adjacent to the existing Arnie's restaurant.<ref name=ChiTribObit /> The menu consisted simply of giant potatoes and large steaks. It was slow at the beginning, but gained a boost when [[Frank Sinatra]] arrived at the restaurant and became a regular.<ref name=LATimesObit /> |
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==Family== |
==Family== |
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Morton was married for a short while out of World War II and had twins: [[Peter Morton]] and Pam Morton. Later he met his surviving wife Zorine at a [[Playboy]] party in 1960, and they married in 1961. They had five children: sons Michael and David; and daughters Stephanie Morton, Amy Morton-Levin and Debra Morton-Berger.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/31/local/me-morton31 Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'"] by Myrna Oliver] May 31, 2005</ref> He has a brother, Robert.<ref>as well as a brother Eddy. |
Morton was married for a short while out of World War II and had twins: [[Peter Morton]] and Pam Morton. Later he met his surviving wife Zorine at a [[Playboy]] party in 1960, and they married in 1961. They had five children: sons Michael and David; and daughters Stephanie Morton, Amy Morton-Levin and Debra Morton-Berger.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/31/local/me-morton31 Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'"] by Myrna Oliver] May 31, 2005</ref> He has a brother, Robert.<ref>as well as a brother Eddy. |
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http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key=6265</ref> |
{{cite web|url=http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key%3D6265 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2006-11-06 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717192104/http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key=6265 |archivedate=2011-07-17 |df= }}</ref> |
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His son [[Peter Morton]] is the founder and owner of [[Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] and co-founder of [[Hard Rock Cafe]]; his daughter Pam Morton is the general manager of Morton's restaurant on Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles;{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} his daughter Amy Morton is the owner and operator of the restaurant Found in [[Evanston, Illinois]];<ref>[http://www.foundkitchen.com/our-story/ Found Kitchen website] retrieved August 3, 2015</ref> his son [[Michael Morton (restaurateur)|Michael Morton]] is the head of the [[N9NE Group]] which operates contemporary American steakhouses in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Dallas; his daughter Debra Morton is a documentary filmmaker and TV producer (PBS, A&E, Discovery, COMCAST) and owner of a contemporary European art gallery in Philadelphia;{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} his daughter Stephanie Morton is an artist living in Los Angeles {{citation needed|date=February 2016}} and his son David Morton is the co-owner of the Chicago restaurants—DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar, County Barbeque, Henry's Swing Club and Ada Street. Morton is the grandfather of Harry Morton, President and CEO of the Mexican restaurant chain [[Pink Taco]], and 16 other grandchildren.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} |
His son [[Peter Morton]] is the founder and owner of [[Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] and co-founder of [[Hard Rock Cafe]]; his daughter Pam Morton is the general manager of Morton's restaurant on Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles;{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} his daughter Amy Morton is the owner and operator of the restaurant Found in [[Evanston, Illinois]];<ref>[http://www.foundkitchen.com/our-story/ Found Kitchen website] retrieved August 3, 2015</ref> his son [[Michael Morton (restaurateur)|Michael Morton]] is the head of the [[N9NE Group]] which operates contemporary American steakhouses in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Dallas; his daughter Debra Morton is a documentary filmmaker and TV producer (PBS, A&E, Discovery, COMCAST) and owner of a contemporary European art gallery in Philadelphia;{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} his daughter Stephanie Morton is an artist living in Los Angeles {{citation needed|date=February 2016}} and his son David Morton is the co-owner of the Chicago restaurants—DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar, County Barbeque, Henry's Swing Club and Ada Street. Morton is the grandfather of Harry Morton, President and CEO of the Mexican restaurant chain [[Pink Taco]], and 16 other grandchildren.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html |
* https://web.archive.org/web/20061109184837/http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html |
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* http://www.tasteofchicago.us/ |
* http://www.tasteofchicago.us/ |
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Revision as of 10:39, 25 May 2017
Arnie Morton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Arnold Morton 1922 |
| Died | (aged 83) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Morton's Restaurant Group |
| Spouse(s) | Spouse 1 (divorced) Zorine Morton |
| Children | with Spouse 1: --Peter Morton (twin) --Pam Morton (twin) with Zorine: --Michael Morton --David Morton --Stephanie Morton --Amy Morton-Levin --Debra Morton-Berger |
| Parent(s) | Mort and Isabel Morton |
Arnold "Arnie" Morton (1922–May 28, 2005) was a restaurateur who founded Morton's Restaurant Group/Morton's Steakhouse.
Personal life and background
Arnie Morton was born to a Jewish family[1] in Chicago, the son of Mort and Isabel Morton,[2] and grew up in Hyde Park, Chicago where his father owned two restaurants.[3] He had two brothers, Edward and Robert.[2] He graduated from Hyde Park High School and enlisted in the United States Army during World War II where he saw eight months of action after arriving in Normandy, France immediately after D-day.[3] After the war, he attended the University of Alabama where he played football for two years.[3]
Arnie Morton's father owned a restaurant on the South Side of Chicago. From the age of 15, Morton bused tables, worked in the kitchen, and performed a wide array of odd jobs at the restaurant. These laid the ground for his work in the 1960s as a founder of the famed Playboy Clubs and Resorts.[4]
Career
Arnie Morton opened his first restaurant, the Walton Walk, between Rush Street and Michigan Avenue in the 1950s.[3] This paved the way for a partnership with Victor Lownes and Hugh Hefner, launching the Playboy Club in 1960.[3] Morton was the right-hand man of Hugh Hefner when he launched the Playboy Empire on February 29, 1960.[5] He served as Executive Vice President of Playboy Enterprises, where he developed the worldwide chain of Playboy Clubs.[6] He went out on his own again after ten years,[3] partnering with Klaus Fritsch, the food and beverage director of the Playboy Clubs.[7]
In the 1970s, he and Klitsch opened several successful ventures in Chicago including Arnie's on Chicago's Gold Coast;[3] the seafood restaurant LaMer;[6] and the disco/night club Zorrine's (named after Morton's wife).[8][9] In 1978, Morton's of Chicago opened in the basement of a Near North Side high-rise in Chicago adjacent to the existing Arnie's restaurant.[3] The menu consisted simply of giant potatoes and large steaks. It was slow at the beginning, but gained a boost when Frank Sinatra arrived at the restaurant and became a regular.[9]
In 1987, Morton sold Morton's Steakhouses, then with $15 million in sales and nine restaurants throughout the United States, for $12.4 million to the venture capital firm Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc. in partnership with the Baltimore brokerage house Alex. Brown & Sons with Fritsch staying on as president.[10]
Morton's eventually grew into a chain of Morton's of 70 locations in the United States, Hongkong, China, Singapore, Macau, Mexico, and Canada. In 2011, Landry's bought 77 Morton Restaurants for $116.6 Million.
Family
Morton was married for a short while out of World War II and had twins: Peter Morton and Pam Morton. Later he met his surviving wife Zorine at a Playboy party in 1960, and they married in 1961. They had five children: sons Michael and David; and daughters Stephanie Morton, Amy Morton-Levin and Debra Morton-Berger.[11] He has a brother, Robert.[12]
His son Peter Morton is the founder and owner of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe; his daughter Pam Morton is the general manager of Morton's restaurant on Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles;[citation needed] his daughter Amy Morton is the owner and operator of the restaurant Found in Evanston, Illinois;[13] his son Michael Morton is the head of the N9NE Group which operates contemporary American steakhouses in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Dallas; his daughter Debra Morton is a documentary filmmaker and TV producer (PBS, A&E, Discovery, COMCAST) and owner of a contemporary European art gallery in Philadelphia;[citation needed] his daughter Stephanie Morton is an artist living in Los Angeles [citation needed] and his son David Morton is the co-owner of the Chicago restaurants—DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar, County Barbeque, Henry's Swing Club and Ada Street. Morton is the grandfather of Harry Morton, President and CEO of the Mexican restaurant chain Pink Taco, and 16 other grandchildren.[citation needed]
Death
Morton died on May 28, 2005, aged 83 at a care home in Deerfield, Illinois. He had Alzheimer's Disease and cancer.[3] In recognition of his significant contributions, a resolution was presented to his family from the House of Representatives of the 94th General Assembly of the State of Illinois "so that his memory may be honored and ever cherished".[14]
Credits
Morton is credited as the brains behind the "Taste of Chicago", one of the city's best-loved summer festivals. He got the idea when he went to a similar event in New York in the late 1970s. Thinking that Chicago could do much better, he lined up restaurants to participate and persuaded then Mayor Jane Byrne to block off Michigan Avenue for the first Taste of Chicago on July 4, 1980, planting the seed for this food festival. Of the 100,000 people the organizers expected, more than 250,000 showed up, with food and soda sales grossing $300,000. Since then, the festival has evolved and has been done every year during the Fourth of July celebrations.[15]
References
- ^ Chicago Jewish History: "HPHS Jewish 'Fame and Fortune' Alumni" Fall 2007
- ^ a b Chicago Tribune: Robert C. Morton Obituary December 30, 2011
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Chicago Tribune: "Arnold `Arnie' Morton / 1922-2005 / Chicago feasted on his dreams" By M. Daniel Gibbard May 29, 2005
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "News - NORM: Playboy event 'as good as it gets'". reviewjournal.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Steakhouse chain pioneer 'Arnie' Morton dies at 83 | Nation's Restaurant News | Find Articles at BNET.com". Findarticles.com. 2005-06-06. Retrieved 2010-09-21.[dead link]
- ^ Meitus: Burger launched chef's career-building alliance : Columns & Blogs : The Rocky Mountain News Archived October 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Klaus Fritsch: Co-Founder & Vice Chairman Morton's, The Steakhouse" (PDF). Morton's The Steakhouse. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'" by Myrna Oliver May 31, 2005
- ^ Funding Universe: "Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. History" retrieved August 3, 2015
- ^ Los Angeles Times: "Arnie Morton, 83; He Worked the Room at His 'Steakhouses for the Rich'" by Myrna Oliver] May 31, 2005
- ^ as well as a brother Eddy.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Found Kitchen website retrieved August 3, 2015
- ^ "HR0540 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY". Ilga.gov. 2005-05-28. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
- ^ [2][dead link]