The shuttered Trio Restaurant at 700 New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood has been sold, and a new chapter is on the horizon. According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, three partners from suburban Philadelphia—Joshua Friedberg, Orbelin Bitraj, and Gent Mema—closed on the property, including its liquor license, in early December.

Trio first opened in 2021 under owners Laul and Debbie Gioquindo and chef Gus Zimmerman, offering casual dining in a space that had previously housed Wes and Cole’s Cookery and the Amish Market. After five years, the Gioquindos announced they would retire at the end of the 2025 summer season to spend more time with family.

The new owners are no strangers to the restaurant business. Together, they operate five successful eateries in the Philadelphia suburbs: Il Granaio (Glen Mills and Phoenixville), Antica (Chadds Ford), Versante (Schwenksville), and The Library (Collegeville). Most of their establishments specialize in Italian cuisine, with The Library offering a broader menu.

As for North Wildwood, the partners say they haven’t yet settled on a name or concept for the former Trio space. Their plan is to study the local dining scene, identify what’s missing, and create a restaurant that fills that gap. With an opening targeted for summer 2026, locals and visitors alike can look forward to something new joining the Wildwoods’ vibrant food scene.