Biz Beat: Modesto eatery closures hard to swallow

It's always more fun to write about business openings than closures, but there's no avoiding the bad news that has hit, with some favorite Modesto eateries shutting their doors.

Bacchus Food & Spirits, which closed last summer before reopening in August, apparently is gone for good.

A recording at the restaurant's phone said the business, at 12th and I streets, has been sold and will reopen at an undetermined time as a sushi restaurant — part of a trend that is continuing to grow in Modesto. Before its recent troubled history, Bacchus enjoyed a run as a popular nightclub and high-end eatery after it opened on New Year's Eve 2006.

Down the street, the Serrano Social Club has closed. On the coffeehouse's Facebook page, owner Tony Serrano said Paul Tremayne has taken over the place. Tremayne is a well-known figure downtown: He owns Concetta and co-owns Tresetti's. It's not clear what his plans are for the new spot, but Serrano said he promises to continue making the coffee that has made the club famous locally.

A bit to the west, there will be no more sipping at Sips Bistro and Wine Shop.

After five years, the Carpenter Road business closed its doors at the end of January. Its owners said the lease term expired and they decided not to renew.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

As the old saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. And that's the case for In-N-Out Burger, which city of Modesto officials confirmed is going in at the former Black Angus location on Sisk Road.

Fans of the California eatery's burgers — I'm partial to the animal style, with grilled onions — will be pleased to know this is an addition, not a relocation.

City officials tell Bee staff writer Kevin Valine that In-N-Out has no plans to close its present Modesto location, a couple of miles up Highway 99 at Pelandale Road.

Victoria Popoff, who opened Studio V Pilates & Fitness at the end of 2011, has expanded. Popoff said she has started a day spa in the suite adjoining Studio V to offer services including massage, facial treatments and sugaring — an all-natural, gentle method of hair removal that Popoff said is unique in the area — to Studio V.

Studio V is at 4345 Spyres Way, Suite 201, Modesto. Call (209) 526-2664 or go to www.studiovwellness.com.

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.