VC’s Palace owners have Heidi’s in Carson City, Dayton’s Roadrunner

Heidi’s Family Restaurant in Carson City, which changed ownership in June 2012, is doing well, in the estimation of the new owners.Bob and Nikki Wilkinson of Dayton, who for years have had the Palace Restaurant and Saloon in Virginia City, also took over the Roadrunner Caf in Dayton later in October 2012. “We’re just continuing the success that (the Carson City) Heidi’s had,” said Bob Wilkinson. “It’s been OK.”His comment about it being OK wasn’t a negative, he indicated, but took into account the fact the economy still is emerging from a down business cycle.He said his operation at Heidi’s has retained the good staff and quality products utilized by the former ownership. There are three Heidi’s Family Restaurants in the area; the one in the state’s capital is at 1020 N. Carson St.The others, which the Wilkinsons didn’t purchase, are at 189 Damonte Ranch Parkway in Reno and 3485 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Wilkinson said as far as he knows, only the Carson City Heidi’s was available. Don Thayer has had the Heidi’s Family Restaurant group for years. He still owns property in Carson City.Wilkinson, originally from Long Island, N.Y., has been in the food business for years. He took over the Palace in Virginia City about 15 years ago. He was in the business in Texas before coming to Nevada.“I took this place 15 years ago and have literally been hacking away ever since,” said Wilkinson, who often is busy cooking there.Asked if more expansion was in the cards any time soon, he replied: “I need to slow down a bit.”