“Change is good!” This according to entrepreneur Jason Ingermanson in reference to the conversion of the Timberline Steakhouse to a south side version of his Mokas Downtown concept.

“We kept hearing from folks on the south side of Salina how they wished we would put a Mokas out here. Changing the large Timberline location into a Mokas will allow Mokas to offer alcohol as well as fare similar to our other Mokas locations. So, while more steakhouses are going in we thought we would take a different turn.”

Mokas South plans to start hiring in the next couple of weeks and will open by the end of June. They will offer a dinner menu in addition to breakfast and lunch fare utilizing their concept of “fast casual tasty.” Store hours are expected to be 7am-9pm Sunday through Thursday, 7am-midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Mokas will be contacting and inviting local artists to display their work as well as offer live music from 9pm-midnight on Friday and Saturday. “We will be a fast casual restaurant with a twist.” Ingermanson says. “The ability to have such a large space to work with and a cocktail section as well, makes it easy to create an area that just says comfort and conversation. We are very excited to expand, this will be our 4th Mokas.”

Ingermanson started the concept in 2006. He also owns and operates 11 Freddy’s locations in four states, buying the development rights to open an additional 40 Freddy’s over the next 8 years. “We started it all in Salina and we are committed to continue to grow businesses here and create jobs.”

Currently Ingermanson’s concepts employ over 125 people in Salina and over 800 nationwide.