The Maplewood Imo’s Pizza, at 2600 S. Big Bend Boulevard, which has been owned by one family since 1970, now has a new owner, and it’s not far from the family tree.
Ben Stratton, the previous owner Lucille Brown’s nephew, has bought the Imo’s. Stratton worked at the Maplewood Imo’s when he was growing up, he said. He said he owns other Imo’s Pizzas. Read more about Stratton.
Lucille and her husband Leroy Brown opened the restaurant in 1970. Lucille and her daughters Donna Brown-Rasmussen and Karen Eckenstein continued to run the Imo’s after Leroy died.
Stratton said in the past two and a half weeks he’s gone over every square inch of the interior — remodeling, fixing or cleaning. When the weather warms up he plans to renovate the outside of the store, too. He plans to reopen early next week.
Good luck to the new owner! Glad to hear some outdoor renovations are coming, it’s bit of an eyesore as it currently stands.
I wonder if that means they will actually start paying more. I worked there from 03-05. Back then I was making 5.15 when I started and after 2 years 5.50 when I left. Granted I was 16 when I started, I know of adults that worked there making the same wages. That was also minimum wage back then.
Excited that Ben Stratton has taken over. Cool that he worked there during high school and now he owns it. The Im0’s in Webster next to Stratton’s is well run, looking forward to the Maplewood location doing the same.
So glad, Imo’s will remain in our area..going to miss Donna…a lot of memories – My husband loved Imo’s pizzas…I enjoyed the Roast Beef Sandwiches…Best Wishes to Ben Stratton
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