A photo of Sickles Market in Little Silver on its last day of operation before bankruptcy. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Sickles Market, the generations-old business whose stunning collapse into bankruptcy took down both its long-standing Little Silver Market and newer location in Red Bank, is planning to re-open the Little Silver location this summer, according to social media posts Thursday morning.
Under a plan first reported by the Asbury Park Press in August, owner Robert Sickles signed a deal with Rumson-based investment group 1663 Partners, LLC to revive and operate the business.
A reorganization plan was filed Nov. 22 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to the post on the Sickles Market Instagram page. “The plan prioritizes the full payment of employment wage liabilities, including two weeks of severance for former employees and ensures that all outstanding gift cards be honored over time once the market re-opens,” the statement reads.
MORE FALLOUT FROM SICKLES COLLAPSE
Sickles Market, along with a liquor story, Bottles by Sickles opened in the refurbished Anderson Building in Red Bank August, 2020. But in a move that stunned customers, the 8,500-square-foot market abruptly shut down February 15.
Less than four weeks later, the 116-year-old farm-based market in Little Silver suffered the same fate. The Sickles family has agricultural roots that trace to the mid-1600s.
The lengthy social media posts include the most detailed comments yet by the Sickles family about the ordeal.
“Before we reached our toughest years from 2020 to 2024, we had always operated our business with great integrity and hospitality, with the intention of staying open through any challenge that may come at us,” it reads. “We made it through fires, economic recessions, Hurricane Sandy, and we thought we had made it through the pandemic. Unfortunately, during those tough years, we over-expanded, overextended and while the world rapidly changed around us, we couldn’t catch up. We did not react in enough time to course correct.”
The reorganization could clear the way not only for the re-emergence of Sickles but a new life in the Red Bank space it occupied.
A separate operator has received approvals to open a similar style market in the Anderson Building, with issues relating to the Sickle’s bankruptcy keeping it in a “holding pattern.” (see related story below).
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redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
