Grotto Pizza, the Rehoboth Beach-based business with the iconic swirl, has been sold to longtime employees.

Dominic Pulieri, who opened the business with family members in 1960, has handed the reins over to President Jeffrey Gosnear. Gosnear, a 23-year Grotto employee, is the primary owner, while Chief Operating Officer Adam Webster is another significant owner and Chief Finance Officer Frank Albero and Glen Byrum are minority owners, Gosnear said when reached by phone.

The sale happened in May, according to Gosnear.

"(Pulieri) is 83. He doesn't really have much family, never married, never had children. His goal was to figure out a way ... some of his key employees could take over," Gosnear said.

Buying the company has been anticlimactic for Gosnear and Webster.

"We went in on a Frid

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