AUBURN – Jason Dumont is tired of hearing the rumors, so he’s setting the record straight.

Amato’s is not closing. It’s simply moving.

The manager of the 458 Center St. Italian eatery said he’s aware that corporate officials are trying to relocate the franchise into an Irving station, converting the restaurant into an Amato’s Express. But for months, he has been approached by customers asking whether the store is closing.

“What they’re looking at is moving, not closing,” he said Thursday for what was likely the umpteenth time.

That means the new Amato’s would have a slightly scaled-down menu, two sizes of pizza rather than three, and be available for take-out only.

“But all the signature items will stay,” said Dumont, who has been with the company for four years.

He said discussions are under way with Irving Oil Co. about Amato’s moving into the Irving station just down the road at 21 Center St., or jumping across the river to the Irving station on Main Street in Lewiston.

“I have no idea when the decision will be made,” said Dumont, but he added that the plans are to have Amato’s remain open at its current location until the Amato’s Express is up and running.

“It should be seamless,” he said of the transition.

He said Amato’s is planning to expand throughout New England, and converting a full-size Amato’s into an Amato’s Express helps lower overhead costs. There are 13 full-size Amato’s restaurants throughout Maine. Dumont said it’s possible the Auburn restaurant was selected for the conversion because of the abundance of similar eateries in the area.

A call placed to Amato’s corporate office Wednesday wasn’t returned.

Dumont said he’s hoping all his employees will be able to keep their jobs.

And until the move, “it’s business as usual,” he said.