Although communal drinking may be the norm on college campuses, Ames’ Chicha Shack wants to make smoking as integral as sharing a brew.

The Chicha Shack, a Campustown fixture for the last two years, is enjoying a resurgence at its new location.

The hookah-smoking establishment, which had been located on Welch Avenue, is now located at 2418 Lincoln Way, formerly the location of Quizno’s Subs.

The most obvious change brought by the move is an increase in the space available – a jump from 600 to 2,400 square feet.

With the extra space and facilities available at the new shop, the business model has changed, too.

Previously, the Chicha Shack opened at 5 p.m. and served only coffee and soft drinks alongside the hookahs. Now, the store now opens at 11:30 a.m., and serves lunch and dinner all day.

The cuisine served is a mixture of Mediterranean fare, including gyros, hummus, kebabs and salads, with the addition of some American staples such as hamburgers and French fries.

“I really enjoy being able to eat while I’m here smoking,” said Andrew Jordan, senior in mathematics.

To add to the lounge environment, the establishment now has a beer license and specials on the weekends.

“It’s more like a hookah bar and grill,” said owner Mohammed Ali.

With creature comforts in the form of an extended bar, leather couches, televisions and wireless Internet access, Ali has found the store to now be a popular place for students to study.

“It’s a lot quieter than most of the other public spots,” said Jonathan Osterhaus, junior in biology, “and the hookah is very relaxing.”

Even with all the new services, the mainstay of the business remains the hookah.

One hookah, which can be shared by up to three people, costs $12 and lasts for about an hour.

The Chicha Shack falls outside of the Campustown’s reputation of being unfriendly to those under 21. Because the store serves large volumes of food, 18-year olds are allowed to enter, providing those who cannot drink a place to socialize and enjoy the Campustown nightlife.

“It’s nice to be able to have a place to hang out and enjoy the nightlife,” said Ashlee Cooper, 19-year-old Ames resident.

With the move, both Ali and his brother and business partner Rami feel it will be a more attractive alternative to the bars than ever before.

“All these freshmen should know there’s a place where they can go hang out,” Rami said.

A part of the hookah experience is the rich history behind it.

Given the hookah’s Middle Eastern roots, Ali tries to give a multicultural atmosphere representative of the hookah culture.

“We play Indian, Bosnian, Arabic and American music,” Ali said, ” [and] once a month we have a belly dancer.”

Ali said he also plans on a variety of special events to occur during the weekends. On Friday and Saturday nights, a DJ plays and a dance floor is opened up.

And for the non-smokers going to a hookah bar, a single table is designated as a non-smoking area as required by state law.

“It’s real,” Ali said. “It’s kind of funny.”

Ali is optimistic about the future of the Chicha Shack and said that business has been growing ever since the move.

“There’s a rumor here that nobody makes it,” said Ali, referring to the demise of the last several businesses to occupy the location. “We will make it.”