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The start of a thriving new season for Victoria grocery chain The Root Cellar
Company founders leave their legacy in safe hands while launching a long-term employee ownership model
About the client
In 2008, Daisy and Adam Orser, the founders of The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer Ltd. (The Root Cellar), first started their company’s journey by moving across the province to Victoria, BC, with two little boys and a newborn in tow. What started as a small seed grew into a flourishing family business with a loyal customer base. The couple’s passion for delivering fresh, locally-sourced foods at affordable prices helped the business become a staple in the community.
The Orsers’ industry experience, and passion for sustainable and socially responsible business practices, helped The Root Cellar evolve into a thriving company with over 150 employees. After many successful years, the couple said they made the tough decision to start a new chapter. They couldn’t step away, however, without the having confidence that The Root Cellar’s future owners would uphold the same values, culture, and experience that their customers appreciated.
Our M&A team stepped in to help the Orsers take their business to market and supported them with finding the right buyer from a range of potential candidates. We helped them in their negotiations throughout the deal until closing and collaborated closely with our Tax team.
Teamshares Canada (Teamshares) quickly proved to be the right fit as a buyer of The Root Cellar. The Root Cellar viewed Teamshares as being a values-driven organization with an employee ownership model that resonated with the Orsers. They shared a vision to create better financial outcomes for the business and its people, offering the opportunity for the employees who helped build the business to share ownership alongside Teamshares .
As a new season begins for The Root Cellar, the Orsers also begin a new chapter with the confidence that their legacy will continue to thrive in the hands of Teamshares and their long-standing employees.
Fast facts
Client
The Root Cellar
Transaction type
Divestiture
Services provided
M&A
Sector
Retail food and beverage
Close date
November, 2025
The client experience
The decision to step away from The Root Cellar didn’t come easy but we felt it was time to write a new story. Our first priority was finding a buyer that shared our community values and would continue the legacy we’ve built alongside our incredible team—the people who’ve poured their energy into the business they’ve helped build every day. The M&A team at Doane Grant Thornton helped us feel supported throughout this journey, including during the ups and downs of the process. We feel confident that the heart of The Root Cellar will keep beating thanks to our teammates (and friends) who love the business as much as we do.
Daisy and Adam Orser
Founders, The Root Cellar
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