Biz Beat: Giving's a wrap at shop in the mall

So you are making your way through your holiday gift list, feeling pretty good because you've found the perfect presents for even the hard-to-buy-for people in your family.

Then you realize, "Ugh. I still have to wrap them."

Have no fear — Kimberly Perez wants to help you.

Perez recently opened The Wrappery in Modesto's Vintage Faire Mall, where she sells gift cards and balloons, pendants and novelty items. But her major service is gift wrapping.

Perez said she realized there was a need when department stores started doing away with gift wrap services, once a staple.

"The stores are thrilled that I'm here," she said.

A former credit manager, Perez saw an opportunity when her company moved back East. Although she's never wrapped professionally — or even worked retail — she took the plunge and opened her shop about a month ago.

She's mostly a one-woman operation, with help from her husband, though she has some part-time employees when she gets really busy. Wrapping in boxes or bags ranges from $3.25 to $8.25 and can be done while you wait or by appointment.

"People love the concept," she said. The Wrappery is open during mall hours. See the store's Facebook page or call (209) 595-8800.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

The Zamora family has opened a new restaurant. Pastas Pronto Italian Food started serving earlier this month at 310 H St. in Modesto. Sergio Zamora, who opened the business with his father and cooks in the kitchen with his mother, said business is off to a promising start, mostly through word of mouth. "People are finding out somehow," he said.

Pastas is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and features daily specials, which recently included a chicken Parmigiano panini. Call (209) 521-5000.

The Fresh Choice restaurant on Plaza Parkway in Modesto has closed. There is no information available on the company's Web site, and the telephone number has been disconnected.

Not closing, however, is Vito's restaurant downtown.

Owners Ray and May Ashak said they've been fielding calls from people who heard a rumor the 13th Street eatery is closing. They want to assure their customers they are "stronger then ever."

Vito's is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday and 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Patty Guerra at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2343 or pguerra@modbee.com.