Pictured, Waterloo Imo’s store manager Michael Melius stands behind the counter inside the restaurant’s new location at 654 N. Market Street. (Sean McGowan photo)

No, Waterloo. Imo’s is not gone. The longtime restaurant just has a new location to call home.

Imo’s Pizza closed the store at 646 N. Market Street, but reopened next door at 654 N. Market with twice the space and some added features. Waterloo Imo’s store manager Michael Melius said the new location opened in September.

“Everything (at the old place) was dated and needed replaced,” he said. “And before (Sidebarr Technologies) moved in next door, we thought about tearing down that wall and expanding.

“You know, we wanted a place where people could bring the whole family and hang out. There wasn’t tons of seating at the old place. So what we found is that people would come in, eat and then they pretty much always left right away.”

On top of the added space for dining, the Waterloo Imo’s also provides video gaming, a drive-through window, beer, and several flavors of frozen custard from Ted Drewes. Frozen pizzas also come out of the new location.

Given 24 hours notice, Melius, a Waterloo native, said customers can request a frozen pizza made to order. These pizzas can go to fundraisers in the community, or for those who want to enjoy Imo’s without leaving the home.

To sell the frozen pizzas as part of a fundraiser, Melius said organizations or individuals can pick up order forms for the pizza sales. Fountain Inn near Valmeyer also serves the Imo’s frozen pizzas to patrons.

“The response (at the new location) has been going well,” Melius said. “We’re starting to see more people come in. It’s not a huge difference, but business is definitely up.”

Melius said Imo’s came to Waterloo in 1996 and he took over as store manager in 2009. Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

 Call 939-9565 for more information. Through the years, Melius said he has been involved in the community and appreciates the continued support.

“(The community) has been great,” he said. “I was born and raised here. Imo’s corporate — everyone from top to bottom — encourages us getting out in the community and doing things. We had a team in the PumpkinFest 5K. We just try to get involved as much as we can.”