Root Cellar Founders Transition Grocery Chain to Employee Ownership

The founders of the Root Cellar grocery store chain in Greater Victoria have sold their business, transitioning to an employee-owned model. This change marks a significant moment for the grocery chain, which has been a local staple since the opening of its first location at McKenzie Avenue and Blenkisop Road in February 2008. A second store was opened along Cook Street in the former Oxford Foods location in 2021.

Daisy Orser, co-founder of Root Cellar, expressed pride in the journey over the past 18 years. “We thought we were just opening a little corner store that we hoped people would love as much as we did,” she stated in an interview with CHEK News. She added that they never anticipated the cultural significance their store would achieve, especially regarding its emphasis on local produce.

The decision to sell came as a natural progression for the Orsers, whose children have all moved out. “Our youngest just started college and he was a newborn when we opened, and it just felt like time to catch our breath,” Orser explained. She described the Root Cellar as their “fourth child,” indicating the emotional investment they had in the business.

The new ownership model will be managed by Teamshares Canada, which specializes in acquiring businesses from retiring owners and establishing long-term employee ownership structures. This model began immediately with the acquisition, and Orser emphasized that it will evolve over time. “It’s incredibly important to us to exit in a way that aligns with the values we poured into the business,” she remarked.

All current staff members will remain in their positions, ensuring continuity for both customers and employees during this transition. Orser reassured that patrons will not notice any immediate changes as ownership shifts.

While the couple plans to take a moment to decompress, they are not retiring entirely. “We’re not stepping into a clean slate – so we won’t be golfing into the sunset or anything like that – but we’re going to be catching our breath for a sec,” Orser noted, indicating that they will continue to pursue other interests.

The transition to employee ownership at Root Cellar symbolizes a growing trend in the business landscape, where companies prioritize sustainable practices and community involvement, allowing employees to have a stake in the business they help to build.