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| May 15, 2001
Brothel owner going into restaurant
business
Moundhouse brothel mogul Dennis Hof is
taking a chance in a more family- friendly arena.
Hof,
owner of the Moonlite Bunnyranch, is purchasing restaurants in
Carson City and Moundhouse. He plans to rebuild both with an
Italian/Mexican theme, complete with tequila and wine
bars.
The Golden Dragon on North Carson Street and
Sugars on Highway 50 East in Moundhouse are both in escrow.
Hof said the Golden Dragon purchase includes 10,000 square
feet of apartments to the rear of the building. Closing prices
are not available.
"I came from real estate, so this is
not a new venture for me," Hof said. "I wanted to go out into
some other things."
Hof said he has been looking at the
Carson City and Moundhouse markets for two years waiting for
the opportunity to open the restaurants. Although a name is
under consideration, Hof said it could not be disclosed before
he is granted business licenses.
"I love Northern
Nevada and I have been searching for a way to diversify and
buy some commercial and residential real estate," he said.
"The trend in restaurants is to put a couple themes into one
venue. Tequila bars and wine bars are also popular, so it
works out."
Hof pointed to the initial success of
Carson City's Wagon Wheel restaurant on North Carson Street,
where the menu includes both Chinese and Japanese
foods.
Hof's plans for both restaurants include a
"total remodel," although structural changes will be limited.
Menus will offer simple dishes with medium to low prices,
compared to other local offerings, he said. The restaurants
will not have a commercial connection to his brothel
business.
"The variety of restaurants in the area is
not adequate," Hof said. "These are going to be upscale
facilities with affordable prices."
Hof also plans to
purchase 10 area homes in the next year as a way to diversify
his holdings.
"Ever since I have been here, there has
been a demand for housing," he said.
At the Moonlite
Bunnyranch, Hof is waiting for Lyon County commissioners'
approval to develop a 4,300 square-foot commercial coach
adjacent to the brothel operation. The new building,
recommended for approval by the Lyon County Planning
Commission earlier this month, is zoned for commercial and
administrative purposes only.
Hof has said the building
will house a gift shop, doctor's examining room and gym for
employee use.
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