Our Story
Nicholas Markets opened in 1943 in the historic Italian neighborhood of North Haledon, New Jersey. The storefront was founded by husband and wife Nicholas and Anna Maniaci, who dreamt of creating a traditional Italian market that showcased nostalgic imported foods, recipe-made meals and family operated service. Their dream was a success and soon enough, the name Nicholas Market’s became unique across the state of New Jersey.
Over the years, as their customer base grew, so did their offerings and locations. What began as wooden shelved aisles stocked with everyday essentials evolved into a bustling market with hand-picked departments and artisan led signature shops. A transition that has made Nicholas Markets stand out from other New Jersey grocery stores.
A Maniaci Legacy That Keeps Growing
For many years, the Maniaci family proudly operated under the Foodtown banner before transitioning to The Fresh Grocer in 2019 and joining the Wakefern Food Corp. cooperative. This partnership brought new opportunities for growth without compromising the specialty shop tradition and family-owned spirit that defined Nicholas Markets from the start.
Today, more than 80 years later, the Nicholas Markets legacy continues to grow but the philosophy of offering quality ingredients and fresh food with an Italian flare has never shifted.
What Makes Us Different
At Nicholas Markets, you don’t have to choose between convenience and quality—you get both. Stock up on weekly essentials in our traditional departments, then explore specialty shops where artisans create items by hand and share their expertise freely. By the time you checkout, you’re guaranteed to leave with the understanding that your cart is full of trusted and quality sourced items and that our team is here to help and welcome you back as if you are our own family.
Visit one of our stores or order online through the Fresh Grocer app to see firsthand why we’re the neighborhood grocer New Jersey families turn to for their day-to-day grocery and catering needs.