IMG_2767.JPG

Fat Johnny's Cheesesteak Company, at 95 Monroe Center St. NW, in downtown Grand Rapids closed its doors over the weekend.

(Shandra Martinez | MLive)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- After three years and two locations, Fat Johnny's Cheesesteak Company, is shuttering.

The downtown eatery, at 95 Monroe Center St. NW, known for authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches closed its doors permanently over the weekend.

Early Bird Cafe in Eastown will take over the space, Fat Johnny's announced in a "thank you" message taped to the restaurant's window. Owners of the newly opened restaurant didn't immediately return calls from MLive and The Grand Rapids Press.

New Jersey transplant Dan Weiskopf opened the restaurant in July 2013 at 122 South Division. A year later, Fat Johnny's relocated to Monroe Center.

The veteran restaurateur previously owned Olive's Restaurant in East Grand Rapids, Gourmet To Go Catering and the Box Lunch Company.

He told MLive in 2013 he had hopes of franchising Fat Johnny's if the concept took off.

A recent post announcing the Oct. 9 closure on the company's Facebook page suggest Weiskopf is ready to take a break from the hospitality business: