Chemical company expands in Seaford; Nicola Pizza’s last downtown hurrah

Nicola Pizza is moving out of Rehoboth Beach next week.
Nicola Pizza is moving out of Rehoboth Beach next week.

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🧪 Chemical company expands in Seaford

Royale Group, a collection of chemical companies, has purchased the former BASF Polymer Plant on Industrial Park Boulevard in Seaford.

The $2.35 million expansion is expected to create 29 new jobs over the next three years. It's the company’s second facility in Delaware after relocating from New Jersey two years ago.

“Delaware has been a great place to do business,” said Royale Group CEO John Logue. “There are many valuable resources to help start or move a business to the state."

The Royale Group specializes in manufacturing and distributing chemicals for a variety of products across several industries, ranging from paints and fire retardants to aerospace and automotive.

🍕 Nicola Pizza’s last downtown hurrah

After 51 years, Nicola Pizza's downtown Rehoboth Beach locations are set to close Monday.

After leaving their original location on North First Street and their newer site on Rehoboth Avenue, Nicola Pizza plans to reopen in October in Ocean One Plaza along Route 1 in Lewes.

The Nicola Pizza sign was removed from the original storefront last week.

In April 2021, the franchise sold its two Rehoboth locations for a combined $4 million to Trahos Capital Investments LLC of Virginia, which owns a slew of properties around the beachfront town.

Nicola Pizza’s location on North First Street will be replaced by a restaurant called Downtown Blues, a spin on the barbeque restaurant Bethany Blues in Lewes and Bethany Beach. It is scheduled to open by next Easter.

“While we were not planning to expand, when approached about this location, it just made too much sense,” said Steve "Monty" Montgomery, who also operates The Starboard in Dewey Beach.

The location on Rehoboth Avenue will be taken over by Chris and Anthony Jacona, who own Zoggs Raw Bar & Grill, the Wheelhouse and Bushels Crab House. They expect to share more information about the restaurant concept in the coming months.

🥞 Bellevue Diner to open on Philadelphia Pike

The Bellevue Diner will open for business Wednesday at 703 Philadelphia Pike in Bellevue.

The diner is owned by the same family that operates Sungate Diner in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. The diners will have the same menu, featuring everything from omelets to seafood.

The new location was formerly Jimmy’s Restaurant, and later George Argiroudis ran George’s restaurant from the space.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Chemical company expands in Seaford; Nicola Pizza’s last downtown hurrah