Sickles Market named New Jersey Family Business of the Year

 
Ted, Tori & Bob Sickles were presented with New Jersey Business of the Year
Award by sponsor Gordon Gorab, senior vice president , NJ Commercial
Segment Market Manager, PNC Bank.
 
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 earlier this month at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, N.J..
 
Sickles Market – a 103 year old specialty food market and garden center located on family property in Little Silver, N.J., that dates back to a King’s Land Grant in 1663 – won 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. Forty-Five businesses had submitted applications.
 
Sickles Market was initially notified in July that it was among eight semi-finalists in its category.

“We’re still flying high on the heels of the announcement,” said Bob Sickles, third 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.” 
 
Bob’s daughter Tori, representing the fourth generation, has recently joined Sickles Market as marketing assistant. Bob’s brother Ted is a self-taught horticulturist and plays an instrumental role at the 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 Wine and Cheese Fundraiser for Holiday Express, 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.