Sickles Market was named New Jersey Family Business of the Year by Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University at an awards ceremony held on Oct. 11.
The 103-year-old specialty food market and garden center, which is located on family property that dates back to a King’s Land Grant in 1663, was the winner in the category of family businesses with more than $10 million in sales.
The New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards recognize family firms that best exemplify strong businesses acumen, active family engagement, innovation and community involvement. Winners are eligible for the National Family Business of the Year competition and will be featured in the November issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Forty-five businesses had submitted applications.
The Little Silver, N.J., specialty food market was initially notified in July that it was among eight semifinalists in its category. There were another eight semi-finalists in a second category for family businesses with sales of up to $10 million.
At the awards ceremony Sickles was first selected as one of three finalists in its category. Then, the emcee announced that Sickles Market had won first place.
“We’re still flying high on the heels of the announcement,” said Bob Sickles, third-generation owner of the nationalâaward winning retail business. “Our business has been a labor of love for my family for many, many years. A business like ours is not run by a few family members, but by a great team of staff members and I thank them for their passion and dedication to making Sickles Market a first-place winner. It has been a difficult three years for all family businesses, but I was inspired by the huge amount of good leadership I saw at the awards ceremony.”
Sickles Market’s 130 staff members include: Sickles’ brother Ted, a self-taught horticulturist who plays an instrumental role in the award-winning garden center; dad Robert Sickles, who at 84 years young, continues to raise vegetables, blackberries and raspberries; and Sickles’ daughter Tori, representing the fourth generation, is the marketing assistant.
The business supports local charities including raising funds through a Wine and Cheese Fundraiser for Holiday Express, which has raised more than $280,000. This year’s event will be held Nov. 4.
Winners were selected by a panel of judges from private companies throughout the state as well as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and past NJFB winners. The rigorous selection process included an in-depth application, an on-site inspection, interviews, and consensus among the judges.
Since 1908, Sickles Market has been trusted source for quality selections of produce, baked goods, gourmet grocery items, meats, hand cut-to-order artisanal cheeses, prepared foods, cut flowers, a garden center and nursery, and a gift department.
