On December 28, 2025, the Wilkes Family Delicatessen officially closed its doors
photos coutesy of the Village of Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood is saying a heartfelt goodbye to a neighborhood cornerstone. After a remarkable 65-year run, the Wilkes Family Delicatessen (affectionately known by locals as “The Little Store”) officially closed its doors on December 28, 2025.
To honor this multigenerational legacy, the Village of Ridgewood held a special ceremony on January 10, 2026, ensuring the Wilkes name remains a permanent part of the town’s landscape.
January 10 is Now “Curt Wilkes Day”
During a moving presentation on Saturday, Ridgewood Councilmember Frank Mortimer presented owner Curt Wilkes with an official proclamation declaring January 10, 2026, as Curt Wilkes Day.
The honor recognizes Curt’s decades of service and the deli’s role as a community hub since 1961. But the proclamation wasn’t the only surprise:
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A Permanent Landmark: Mortimer unveiled a new “Wilkes Corner” street sign.
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Location: The sign will be installed at the intersection of Van Buren Street and East Glen Avenue, right outside the deli’s longtime home.
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The Legend: Curt Wilkes, who has operated the deli for over 30 years after taking the reins from his father and grandfather, officially entered retirement at the end of December.
The Legacy of “The Little Store”
Since its opening in Ridgewood in 1961 (following the family’s original 1938 start in Fair Lawn), Wilkes Deli became famous for more than just sandwiches. It was a place where generations of Ridgewood students grabbed lunch and families picked up homemade holiday pies.
While the physical deli has closed, the family is making sure their impact lingers:
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The Secret Recipe: While many of the deli’s traditional recipes have been handed down to the new owners taking over the space, the Wilkes family confirmed that their famous potato salad recipe is officially retiring with Curt—it remains a strictly guarded family secret!
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New Beginnings: The East Glen Avenue location is expected to reopen soon under new management as Gino’s Deli, keeping the tradition of a neighborhood eatery alive at that historic corner.
Wilkes Deli: By the Numbers
| Stat | Details |
| Years in Ridgewood | 65 Years (1961–2025) |
| Generations | 3 Generations of the Wilkes Family |
| Final Day | December 28, 2025 |
| Street Honor | Wilkes Corner (Van Buren St. & E. Glen Ave.) |
| The “Untouchable” | The Secret Potato Salad Recipe |
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Rumor is Gino’s will continue the secret potato salad going
I doubt the secret will be passed along.
I worked at 25 years ago. I have a secret oh yes.
It’s for sale