Jacona brothers taking over Nicola Pizza’s Rehoboth Ave. spot

A little over a month ago, Bethany Blues announced it was taking over the original Nicola Pizza location on North First Street.

Now, Chris Jacona has confirmed he and his brother Anthony will take over Nicola’s location on Rehoboth Avenue after the pizzeria closes its doors shortly after Labor Day. Chris declined to comment any further.

In addition to Zogg’s, the Jacona brothers own and operate the Sea Hogg food truck, the Wheelhouse along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in downtown Lewes, and Bushels Crab House & Seafood on Route 1 outside Lewes.

The new owner of both Nicola properties is Trahos Capital Investments LLC, which is a family-run company led by Dr. Michael Trahos. The company purchased the properties in April 2021.

The Trahos family has been in Rehoboth Beach since the early 1900s. In addition to the Nicola properties, the family also owns several other properties in Rehoboth, including Gus & Gus, Starkey's Ice Cream, Tidal Rave's 5 & 10, The Funnel Cake Factory, Zogg's Raw Bar & Grill, Zogg’s Rum Shack, the Hotel Carlton building (current home to The Shirt Factory), Royal Market and Blackwall Hitch.

Nicola Pizza was founded by Nick Caggiano Sr. and his late wife Joan in 1971. In August 2020, the Caggiano family announced the restaurant was leaving Rehoboth for a new site on Route 1 outside Lewes on property adjacent to Ocean One Plaza. The original restaurant had its last day of in-person dining June 12, but remains open for takeout. The Rehoboth Avenue location has in-person dining through the summer. Both locations are expected to close soon after Labor Day.