A longtime mainstay of downtown Ouray shuttered its doors suddenly this week, when O’Brien’s Pub & Grill closed.

A sign stating “out of business” written on the bottom of a pineapple juice box in the door window confirmed what some locals suspected when they saw unusual activity at the restaurant.

The eatery had been closed over the New Year’s holiday but planned on reopening on Jan. 5. Instead, building owner Larry Danielle said he received notice from the restaurant owner’s atto...