Trader Mort's Liquor, San Diego, CA (store) - Locating Tiki

H holdontotherail Member Joined: Mar 23, 2014 Posts: 4	H holdontotherail Posted posted on Tue, Mar 14, 2017 1:24 PM On 2014-03-20 16:50, lunavideogames wrote: So it seems like some of the information I received on this place was a bit off. The last name of the original owner was Morton. I now know this for a fact since his nephew is working for me. He is going to hunt down any old items from Trader Morts from the old days before it changed owners. As soon as he gets a chance to talk to him, I should be able to find out the original opening date and hopefully some stories about the tiki and more. I will keep you guys posted as I receive more information. The original owner still owns Miguel's and Brigandine, the restaurants close to Trader Morts. So the Mort in question is Lance Morton. Found his obit in the SDUT, which says Trader Mort's opened in 1961. Also as you've noted, he and his brother started the Brigantine in 1969. Excerpt from the obit: Morton, Henry Lansing 01/09/1934 - 05/01/2015 POINT LOMA-- Lance, as he was known to his friends, passed away unexpectedly at home from cardiac arrest, May 1st, 2015. Born in Tulsa, OK, he was the second son of Asa Dan and Margaret E. Morton. The family moved to San Diego when he was 5 years old. A star athlete at Point Loma High school in varsity football he held the shot-put record for many years. Awards include All-City Football 1951, All-City Track & Field 1952, So.Cal. Junior College Assoc. All-Conference Football 1953, Aztec team first squad at San Diego State. He graduated SDS 1957 in Business Management.... His business career, mostly in financial services, began at Home Federal Savings and Loan in 1956 and lasted 50 years. Other pursuits included the creation of Trader Mort's Liquor on Shelter Island in 1961. As a principal founder of The Brigantine restaurant 1969, the family chain has grown and continues to thrive under the direction of brother Mike Morton. Beginning in the 40's, he was one of the "Sunset Surfers" -- the original beachboys of O.B. and Sunset Cliffs. He served as a City Lifeguard through his college years. Sailing adventures began in the 50's with starlets at San Diego Yacht Club and later sailing on many competitive yachts on the West Coast, including three Trans-Pac and one Tahiti race.

On 2014-03-20 16:50, lunavideogames wrote:
So it seems like some of the information I received on this place was a bit off. The last name of the original owner was Morton. I now know this for a fact since his nephew is working for me. He is going to hunt down any old items from Trader Morts from the old days before it changed owners. As soon as he gets a chance to talk to him, I should be able to find out the original opening date and hopefully some stories about the tiki and more. I will keep you guys posted as I receive more information.

The original owner still owns Miguel's and Brigandine, the restaurants close to Trader Morts.

So the Mort in question is Lance Morton. Found his obit in the SDUT, which says Trader Mort's opened in 1961. Also as you've noted, he and his brother started the Brigantine in 1969.

Excerpt from the obit:

Morton, Henry Lansing 01/09/1934 - 05/01/2015 POINT LOMA-- Lance, as he was known to his friends, passed away unexpectedly at home from cardiac arrest, May 1st, 2015. Born in Tulsa, OK, he was the second son of Asa Dan and Margaret E. Morton. The family moved to San Diego when he was 5 years old. A star athlete at Point Loma High school in varsity football he held the shot-put record for many years. Awards include All-City Football 1951, All-City Track & Field 1952, So.Cal. Junior College Assoc. All-Conference Football 1953, Aztec team first squad at San Diego State. He graduated SDS 1957 in Business Management.... His business career, mostly in financial services, began at Home Federal Savings and Loan in 1956 and lasted 50 years. Other pursuits included the creation of Trader Mort's Liquor on Shelter Island in 1961. As a principal founder of The Brigantine restaurant 1969, the family chain has grown and continues to thrive under the direction of brother Mike Morton. Beginning in the 40's, he was one of the "Sunset Surfers" -- the original beachboys of O.B. and Sunset Cliffs. He served as a City Lifeguard through his college years. Sailing adventures began in the 50's with starlets at San Diego Yacht Club and later sailing on many competitive yachts on the West Coast, including three Trans-Pac and one Tahiti race.

Post #774029 by holdontotherail on Tue, Mar 14, 2017 1:24 PM