The owners of the locally-owned Root Cellar grocery market have announced that the business has been sold.
Partners in both business and life, Daisy and Adam Orser, shared the major announcement in a letter to their customers, sent via email and posted on social media.
In the letter, the Orsers compared selling the business to the changing of seasons.
“Almost 18 years ago, with two little boys tugging at our hands and a newborn strapped to our chests, we moved across the province to Victoria and planted the seed of a wild little dream to feed the community,” the Orsers wrote.
“With your support, that seed has grown into something far bigger and more extraordinary than we ever imagined.”
They noted that their sons are at a place in life where they are stepping into new seasons of their own: going off to college, beginning their careers and getting married.
So with this shift, Daisy and Adam say they too wish to begin a new season.
“With full, aching hearts, we’ve made the decision to step away; The Root Cellar has been sold and launched into its own big, beautiful future — though you’ll still see us shopping here beside you, at our favourite store in the world,” they explained. “And please do say hello.”
In the announcement, the Orsers spoke of their intent, and how they wanted to leave the business.
The Root Cellar has been sold to Teamshares Canada, who are a company that works to keep successful small businesses locally led and independently operated.
Teamshares Canada will be implementing a long-term employee ownership model that starts immediately and is intended to grow over time. This way, the Orsers say they can ensure their legacy continues.
“We wanted to ensure it remains rooted in the same values, culture, and customer experience you know and love,” wrote Adam and Daisy.
“For these reasons, we’ve chosen an employee ownership model—where our incredible team, the very people who’ve poured their energy into this place day after day, now have the opportunity to share in ownership of the business they’ve helped build, alongside Teamshares Canada.”
Though the Orsers say they are firm in their decision to sell, the transition will not be an easy one for them.
“Moving on from this amazing season of our lives is no small thing, but it’s made easier knowing The Root Cellar is strong, vibrant, and poised to flourish long into the future,” they wrote.
“Please continue to love it like we do: shop here, celebrate here, gather here.”
The Orsers concluded their announcement by thanking the community that has supported them for the last 18 years in and around Victoria.
