Phil and Amanda Miller, the entrepreneurial couple behind the pet resort brand Pawville, have acquired Five Oaks Nursery, which has had a presence in the Wilmington horticultural community since 1980.

According to a news release, the acquisition includes the nursery’s two retail locations – Five Oaks Wrightsboro and Five Oaks Oleander (formerly Blooms and Branches) – as well as its 47-acre production farm in Burgaw.

The Millers have scaled service-oriented businesses before, having grown Pawville to nine locations (including in Wilmington and surrounding areas) and two vet hospitals across multiple states, according to the release. Phil Miller continues in a full-time role at Pawville, but jumped at the opportunity to purchase the new business, citing its scalability and creative potential, the release stated.

The Millers hired Felipe Graham as CEO to oversee the nursery's operations.

“Graham has the ability to think strategically about the business at a very high level while also being able to operate proficiently at a tactical level as a servant leader who is respected by the team," Phil Miller said.

Graham’s presence also allows head grower Chris Cole to focus his expertise on plant care and expanded production capacity, "which will be critical as the company ramps for future growth," the release stated.

Abbey Cole also continues on the team post-acquisition, according to the release. 

“We quickly realized Chris and Abbey Cole play a vital role in this operation, so we wanted to maximize and build on their strengths as we grow the business," Phil Miller said.

Phil Miller said he's been inspired by Five Oaks’ founders, Sam and Betty Rivenbark. Although Sam Rivenbark has since passed, Phil Miller recently met with Betty Rivenbark, who said they didn't have phones at the business in the early days but did rely on word of mouth.

“That legacy matters to us,” Phil Miller said. “How many businesses today have been around since 1980? We feel a sense of obligation as caretakers of this business to shepherd it through future decades of growth and success. As we move forward, our goal is to honor what Sam and Betty built through an obsessive focus on the customer experience.”

The transaction was managed by Tully Ryan, an M&A advisor with Murphy Business Sales.

"The sellers were looking for more than just a qualified buyer – it was important to connect with a buyer who not only had the necessary operational experience but also respected the legacy of the business and had a vision to build on it," Ryan said. "Phil and Amanda brought all of that and more.”