Sal’s Sicilian Pizza & Restaurant, Inc., at Hayes is under new ownership. Longtime owners Sal Leone and Frank LaFata recently sold the restaurant to cousin Francesco Leone and Gianpiero Candela.

Sal’s first opened in 1983 in the Hayes Shopping Center. It moved to its current location on Route 17 in 2002. A grand re-opening of the business is scheduled for Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“We decided to hang it up,” Sal said. “I’ve been doing it all my life.” While he may go on to pursue other interests, Frank said he is retiring. However, the two will never forget the amazing customers they served over the years. “Dealing with the customers has been the best part of the job. Seeing them … going up to them … talking to them and them talking to us,” Sal said. Both men have been in the restaurant business for over 40 years.

Francesco also has a long history in owning restaurants and preparing homemade dishes re...