FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pawville Founders Acquire Historic Five Oaks Nursery; Plan Regional Expansion and Enhanced Customer Experience
WILMINGTON, NC – Phil and Amanda Miller, the entrepreneurial team behind the multi-state pet resort brand Pawville, have officially acquired Five Oaks Nursery, a staple of the Wilmington horticultural community since 1980. 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 bring a proven track record of scaling service-oriented businesses having grown Pawville to nine locations and two vet hospitals across multiple states. Phil 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 Millers brought in Felipe Graham as CEO to oversee the operations of the business. Miller says “Graham has the ability to think strategically about the business at a very high level while also being able to proficiently operate at a tactical level as a servant leader that is respected by the team.”
Graham’s presence 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. Abbey Cole also continues on the team post-acquisition. Phil stated “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.”
The transaction was managed by Tully Ryan, M&A advisor with Murphy Business, specializing in founder-led business and legacy transitions. After fielding over a hundred inquiries, Ryan noted that the Millers stood out during the vetting process…”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. Phil and Amanda brought all of that and more.”
To that point, Phil expressed that he draws inspiration from Five Oaks’ original founders, Sam and Betty Rivenbark. Although Sam has since passed, Miller recently met with Betty, who shared how Five Oaks grew the old-fashioned way – great customer service. Betty recalled that in the early days, “we didn’t even have phones hooked up—but we had word of mouth.”
“That legacy matters to us,” 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.”
When asked about big box brand presence in the nursery sector Miller responded, “We believe we can out-compete big-box suppliers through our differentiation in the areas where they lack – a larger selection, a team with deeper plant knowledge, and a welcoming ambiance that draws you into the nursery. The bonus is that we can even compete on price because we have our own production farm.”
For landscape professionals, the Millers aim to strengthen partnerships by improving operational processes for pickups and deliveries while rebuilding connections that have weakened in recent years. According to Phil “Our landscape professionals have always been the lifeblood of the business, so we are looking at all the things they perceive as important in a nursery partner, ensuring we can deliver quality plants at scale and speed so they can do the same for their clients.”
Ultimately, the Millers are focused on strengthening Five Oaks’ position as a trusted local nursery for homeowners and landscape professionals alike. By combining in-house production, enhanced workplace culture, and an exceptional customer experience, they aim to build Five Oaks locally with an eye toward regional growth.
About Five Oaks Nursery & Landscaping
Five Oaks is a premier provider of quality plants, shrubs, and trees serving the Greater Wilmington area since 1980. With a 47-acre production farm in Burgaw and two retail/wholesale locations, Five Oaks specializes in locally grown products and exceptional horticultural expertise. For more information, visit www.fiveoaksls.com.
Five Oaks Wrightsboro 2120 Old Winter Park Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 | 910-762-8637
Five Oaks Oleander (Formerly Blooms and Branches) 5523 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 | (910) 350-6772