Ricky’s evicted from location on Nassau Street

The Times of Trenton reported Friday that court records show the confectionary, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, was evicted for not paying rent. While the Times reported that a sign posted on the front door of the darkened store stated it had been closed by order of the Superior Court of Mercer County, the only notice present Sunday evening was a large sign for Mercer Oak Realty, which is handling the 3,250-square-foot retail space.

Court records from December show that the franchise owed $100,000 in sales taxes to the State of New Jersey and $42,301 to Nassau Tower Realty in back rent from February, March and April, the Times reported, adding that the candy store fell behind in its rent after it increased from $14,590 to $15,673 in April. The bankruptcy filing was dismissed in court back in May.

Ricky’s was founded in 2004 by former FAO Schwarz executive Rick Barber. The chain was famous — if not infamous — for its candy-themed music and vividly colored decorations.

Following the dismissal of the bankruptcy filing, the chain attempted to rebuild by relocating its headquarters to New York and naming real estate developer Donald William Cheng its president.

Though its doors are locked and its lights shut off, the Princeton location is still listed on the company’s website, and the store is fully stocked. The eviction follows that of grocer Olive May, which shut its doors in September after it was unable to meet its rent.