Sickles Market Named New Jersey Family Business of the Year

Little Silver's was recently given top honors as New Jersey Family Business of the year by the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University at an award ceremony held at the in Livingston, on Oct. 11.

Sickles Market, a 103 year old specialty food market and garden center 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 over $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. Applications were submitted by 45 businesses for the competition.

Sickles Market was initially notified in July that it was among eight semi-finalists in its category. There were another eight semi-finalists in a second category for family businesses with sales of “up to $10 million”. In that category a neighboring business , Red Bank, was named a finalist. Cooper Pest Solutions, Lawrenceville, was selected as the winner in that category.

At the awards ceremony Sickles was first selected as one of three finalists in its category. Then, the emcee, TV News 9 Anchorwoman Brenda Blackmon, announced that Sickles Market had won first place. 

“We’re still flying high on the heels of the announcement,” said Bob Sickles, 3rd generation owner of the national-award winning 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 anddedication 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,” said Sickles.

Bob’s daughter Tori, representing the 4th generation, has recently joined Sickles Market as Marketing Assistant. Bob’s brother Ted is a self-taught horticulturist and plays an instrumental role in the award-winning garden center. Bob’s Dad, Robert, at 84 years, continues to raise vegetables, blackberries and raspberries. Sickles Market employs 130 staff members. The business is a tremendous supporter of local charities including raising funds through a , which has raised over $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.

New Jersey Family Business of the Year Award is given by The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Farleigh Dickinson University -- one of the top-20 business school entrepreneurship programs in the nation. It is sponsored by the Rothman Institute, PNC Bank, and New Jersey Monthly magazine, among other companies, and several co-sponsors including PSE&G, J.H. Cohn LLP, and others.