A family Tradition of quality since 1908

Sickles Market started over 100 years ago as a wholesale truck farm delivering Sickles grown fruits and vegetables to local stores. Harold Sickles and his wife, Elsie, ran it on farmland acquired from his mother’s family, the Parkers.  The property the Sickles farmed was located on Harrison Avenue, off Rumson Road, in Little Silver.  The Parker family first acquired the land in 1663 in a land grant from the king of England to Peter Parker of Rhode Island. Parker later moved to this area.  Eventually a daughter married a Sickles (Harold’s father) and the rest became history.  In 1945 Bob Sickles Sr. joined his parents and in 1978 Bob (the third generation of Sickles) joined in.

Bob Sr. and Adelaide started selling their produce to the public from a seasonal farm stand built on the main farm property. In addition to the Harrison Avenue land, Bob Sr. also farmed over 125 acres spread all over Monmouth County while Adelaide ran the market.  The Sickles children helped at the farm stand.  By the time Bob Jr. was 14, he was buying produce from other local farms to supplement what they grew themselves.

Along the way the farm market expanded to include the sale of annuals, both bedding and vegetable plants.  Customers wanted to be able to grow the same quality vegetables in their own gardens that they were purchasing from the farm stand so Bob Sr. started growing extra vegetable plants to sell to his customers.  Soon an entire garden center became a part of the market. It included perennials and nursery stock.  About the same time, grocery staples, such as dairy products, bread, and high quality jams, were added for the convenience of the customers.  Lovely cut flowers and unusual gift items also found their way into the simple garage-like space.

Some things don’t change.  Bob Sr. is still farming some of the land on Harrison Avenue, but now concentrates on growing just a few specialty crops like raspberries and blackberries.  He continues to grow Jersey Fresh corn on some land in Middletown.  Bob Jr. is very active in the growth of the business while still emphasizing quality and customer service.

The only major change that has occurred over the past eight years was the decision to stay open 12 months each year.  This led to building a new, state of the art greenhouse, and winterizing the market. The size of the market was also increased to allow for expansion of the existing departments and the creation of several new departments.  Now you will find areas for produce, baked goods, gourmet grocery items, international cheeses, a deli, and a kitchen which turns out delicious prepared foods to satisfy all your needs.  In the “Big Room” you will find cut flowers, a wonderful selection of items for your home, great gifts, and gorgeous garden accessories.

One important thing that has not changed since the farm market began is the essence of what makes this market so special: the old-fashioned values of service, quality, and genuinely caring about you, our customers. Please stop in and experience the Sickles version of customer service.  We hope you will be pleasantly surprised.