Bergen County Deli To Close After 64 Years, And They're Keeping Their 'Family Secret'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A family deli that first opened in 1961 closed for good on Sunday, they announced — and no, they're not giving away their secret recipe.

Wilkes Deli on Glen Avenue in Ridgewood — which opened in that town after being founded in Fair Lawn in 1938 — announced their impending closure the day after Christmas. They gave customers the weekend to stop in for their last orders.

The deli was known for their holiday pies, sandwiches, and a potato salad that one commenter said "should be in the hall of fame."

After posting a short message Thursday saying they would close, owner Jen Wilkes posted a followup thanking everyone for the support and giving more information.

"Thank you all, for the outpouring of love and support," she wrote. "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! He also had a great team! Thank you to all who have worked in our store!"

Patch reached out to the family to find out more about the closing, but they declined to comment for now.

Other Location Open

Some readers posting on social media asked if the Wilkes Deli and Catering location on South Pleasant Avenue will remain open.

The owner of that location said by phone on Monday that they will indeed remain open, and that the Wilkes family no longer owns it. The new owners purchased it from them more than 20 years ago, the owner said.

"It's a great family," said owner Rene Mendoza.

Will Secret Be Passed Along?

The first Wilkes Family Delicatessen opened in Fair Lawn in 1938, run by Frank and Ruth Wilkes. Their children Howard, Charles, and Ruth helped out.

According to a history on their website, Howard took over that store in 1961, and bought the Glen Avenue store the same year. The Fair Lawn store eventually closed.

Charles' son Curt Wilkes began working at the Glen Avenue store after high school and became the manager and owner.

New Restaurant

Fans of the store posted admiring comments on social media.

"Change is always part of life but this is tough!" wrote one man. "Your deli part of my life for 45 years and my wife and daughter will miss you all."

A woman asked for the potato salad recipe, and apparently, she wasn't alone.

"Sadly we will not be sharing the Potato Salad Recipe," wrote Jen Wilkes. "It will always be a family secret."

But there's good news on the horizon, she said.

The deli will soon reopen under new management, as Gino's Deli. Gino just won't have the potato salad secret.

"We have taught Gino many of the other recipes, so be sure to come in and try them out!" she wrote. "He will be a great addition to the neighborhood!"

The deli is located at 283 East Glen Ave.

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