Did Nicola Pizza Really Leave Rehoboth? the True Story Behind the Move
By James H. Sterling
When the doors opened at the new Ocean One complex on Coastal Highway in autumn 2022, long-time patrons worried that the eclectic spirit of Nicola had vanished in favor of sterile corporate modernism. The Caggiano family went to extraordinary lengths to dispel those fears. They dismantled the historic overhead train setups from North First Street and meticulously reassembled the tracks along the soaring ceilings of the new dining room, preserving the whimsical mechanical show that entertained children for decades.
The menu remains anchored by the original Nic-o-boli recipe, using the same proportions of fresh dough, seasoned ground beef, and sharp-sweet sauce. Diners can still request modifications familiar to regulars: "light sauce," "sauce on the side," sweet peppers, or customized cheese blends. Alongside the boli, traditional thin-crust and Sicilian pizzas, fat-cap cheesesteaks, and house salads with the signature creamy Italian dressing carry on uninterrupted.
Where the experience has transformed dramatically is in convenience and scale. The Lewes dining room features vaulted ceilings, multiple sprawling bars outfitted with dozens of high-definition screens for sports fans, an expanded outdoor patio, and a fully separated takeout lobby. Instead of wrestling through boardwalk crowds with grease-soaked cardboard boxes, customers pull into a wide parking stall, walk into a specialized pickup bay, and head home in minutes.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
