By Sunayana Prabhu
LITTLE SILVER – Burdened by the lingering issues of its predecessor, 1663 Market officially closed its doors Jan. 18 at 5 p.m., ending a brief revival of the community staple.
“It is with deep disappointment that we announce the closing of 1663 Market,” owners Dennis Devine, Jennifer Karp and Timothy McCooey said in a joint statement posted on social media last week. “We want to thank our dedicated employees who shared our vision, worked tirelessly, and deserved better. And to the small group of regular visitors who believed in this place, we know you could see the vision for what 1663 Market may have become. Your support meant more than you know.”
The three Rumson residents reopened 1663 Market last year on the site of the former Sickles Market, a longtime borough staple that closed suddenly in 2024 after declaring bankruptcy. They said they did their best to revive what was once a cherished community institution. “Despite our commitment, time, and investment, the lack of sustained community support, along with lingering negativity rooted in past failures that were not ours, has made the business unsustainable,” the statement said. “We are saddened for the employees and for a broader community that ultimately lost an opportunity for something special to thrive.”
The store, located on Harrison Avenue, was originally a family-run business last operated by Bob Sickles and had stood for generations. Its closure was marred by controversy, leaving employees unpaid and customers with unredeemable gift cards, sparking resentment in the community.
“When Sickles closed, it left a hole in our routines and in the community,” Devine told The Two River Times in October.
The new owners reopened under the name 1663 Market to honor the year the land was first settled and deeded. “We saw more than the challenges; we saw an opportunity to preserve and reimagine a beloved destination,” he said at the time.
Despite efforts to rebuild trust – paying former employees, honoring Sickles’ gift cards, and retaining knowledgeable staff – the market struggled to gain traction.
“It is sad that our thoughtful community-driven vision will not come to light. Please know we will do our best to help shape the next chapter in a positive direction,” the statement said.
In October, Devine said saving Sickles wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was also about safeguarding a property “from a development that would no longer include the market and would have been terribly impactful to the community.”
Repeated requests to Devine inquiring about the property’s future were not returned by press time.
The article originally appeared in the January 22 – 28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
