Looking to continue the legacy created by his uncle John DiLeo, John Thompson has opened Gio’s Pizza Co. in the former Casa DiLeo space on Rehoboth Avenue Extended outside Rehoboth Beach. Thompson co-owns the new pizza shop with his wife Dana Marmo. They took over the restaurant space earlier this year. The couple also owns and operates the original Gio’s Pizza Co. near Scranton, Pa.

John DiLeo successfully operated Casa DiLeo for more than two decades. Thompson helped manage the restaurant briefly in 2009 and 2010, which is why, he said, when his uncle called about helping with the transition not too long ago, he jumped at the chance.