Grotto Pizza arcade demolished in Dewey

Demolition of the old Grotto Pizza arcade building in Dewey took place the week of Nov. 7, with a new restaurant set to rise in its place for summer 2023.

Grotto Pizza Vice President Jeff Gosnear said he is targeting a May opening for the new restaurant, which had been planned for some time. Due to this foresight, he said, materials were ordered early so that construction could occur quickly.

In September, Dewey Beach officials voted to approve a conditional-use permit and an application for restaurant permit of compliance to construct and operate a new Grotto Pizza on Coastal Highway just across Read Avenue from the previous one.

The old restaurant was massive and had gone past its useful life, Gosnear said. The new restaurant will be about half the size and more appropriate for a seasonal business, he said. Plans call for an indoor/outdoor feel for the new restaurant, he said.

The previous Grotto on Coastal Highway will be demolished and redeveloped as a mixed-use property, Gosnear said, with retail space on the first floor and condos on the second floor.  

Grotto Pizza also recently announced plans to demolish and rebuild its corporate office on Route 1 outside Rehoboth Beach, to renovate the Grand Slam near Five Points, and to construct a new hotel and retail space on the Rehoboth Boardwalk. 

After the corporate office is demolished, the team will move to Dewey and demolish the old restaurant, Gosnear said.