Biz Beat: It's on to next level for owner of Mike's Roadhouse in Modesto

Mike's Roadhouse is hitting the road.

After 15 years in operation on Dale Road, Mike Nelson said he has sold his restaurant to brothers John and Bobby Ismail. The Ismail brothers run Uno Chicago Grill and Papa John's Pizza franchises. They plan to keep the restaurant, but it will have a new name and concept, Nelson said.

Nelson, meanwhile, isn't exactly giving up the business. He is opening a new restaurant, the Grillhouse, on Pelandale Road near Costco.

"It's the next level," said Nelson, who previously ran Smoky's pub on McHenry Avenue. "It's definitely going to be a place that people in Modesto want to see."

Nelson said his new venture also will be family-friendly and affordable, with lunches costing $7 to $10 and most dinners priced at $12 to $14.

"It's a positive thing," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for both families that's going to create more jobs and more revenue for Modesto."

The Grillhouse likely will open in the spring, Nelson said. Mike's Roadhouse will close in the next few weeks, but the time line for reopening hasn't been established.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

It's a wrap for The Wrappery.

Kimberly Perez is closing her gift wrap business at Vintage Faire Mall after only two months in operation.

Perez, who signed a six-month lease with the mall, said she got notice to move out because the mall has a permanent vendor interested in locating there, something allowed in the contract.

Perez said she's emotional about the closure because she felt her business was just getting going. She was getting referrals from stores throughout the area, but she doesn't want to open up shop elsewhere because the mall has such heavy foot traffic.

Janice Curtin, spokeswoman for the mall, said the decision was not made at the local level, and it's unfortunate that the mall and Perez could not come to agreement on a different location.

"We loved the concept," Curtin said.

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.