Wilkes Family Delicatessen in Ridgewood closed its doors on Sunday, ending a 65-year run serving the Bergen County community.
The deli, located on East Glen Avenue and known locally as “The Little Store,” announced its closure in a Dec. 26 social media post.
Gino’s Deli will open at the same location, according to the family.
However, some things remain a secret — like the potato salad recipe.
“Lastly no… sadly we will not be sharing the Potato Salad Recipe. It will always be a family secret,” co-owner Jennifer Wilkes said in a social media post. “We have taught Gino many of the other recipes, so be sure to come in and try them out! He will be a great addition to the neighborhood.”
Three generations of the Wilkes family operated the business.
In their social media post, the family expressed appreciation for their scores of customers throughout the past six decades.
“Thank you to this community for supporting all of us,” the post read. “We will miss you. Sincerely from 3 generations of The Wilkes Family.”
The Wilkes name has been associated with delicatessens in Bergen County since 1938, when Frank and Ruth Wilkes opened the first store in Fair Lawn, according to the deli website.
They ran the small grocery with help from their three children: Howard, Charles and Ruth.
When Frank and Ruth retired, Howard took over the Fair Lawn store and purchased the Glen Avenue location in Ridgewood in 1961.
Charles eventually assumed ownership of the Ridgewood location. The original Fair Lawn store has since closed.
Curt Wilkes and his wife, Jennifer, owned and operated the Ridgewood deli for the past 30 years.
Curt entered the business after high school and trained under his father, Charles, and his older brother, Barry, before becoming manager and later owner.
The deli made everything in-house with Curt and his staff continuing the traditions passed down from his grandparents and father.
“Thank you all, for the outpouring of love and support. Curt has clearly made an impact on this community! I am so proud to call him my husband, and I am looking forward to enjoying his cooking in his retirement,” Jennifer Wilkes said in a social media post.
