Since 1953, Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping has built its reputation on service and quality in the Long Lake, Wayzata, and Delano communities. Now, the company is entering a new era: employee ownership. We sat down with Christopher J. Jordan, President of Otten Bros., to talk about the transition, what it means for the seven new owners, and what customers can expect going forward.
What led to the decision to transition Otten Bros to employee ownership?
The change began with Cliff Otten, the company’s previous owner, who had reached a point where he wanted to step back from the business to focus on family. Rather than looking outside the company, Otten approached his key employees individually to gauge their interest in taking over. Given their passion for the business, the answer was an easy yes.
Otten Bros. Nursery & Landscaping was founded by three brothers, Bert, Joe, and Leonard.
Why was employee ownership the right path, instead of selling to an outside buyer?
The seven employees Otten selected weren’t newcomers, they had worked in key roles for over five years, some for as long as 40. In the years leading up to the sale, Cliff had already stepped back from day-to-day involvement, and this group was running both the strategic and operational sides of the business. For Jordan, that made the choice clear: only this team could carry the business forward the way Otten would have wanted.
How did the seven new owners come together to make the transition happen?
Because the group had already worked closely together for years, the transition itself was smooth. Everyone continued doing what they did best, now with an ownership stake. One key addition was a new rhythm of regular Owners’ Meetings to discuss bigger strategic questions, separate from day-to-day work. Learning to draw a clear line between being an employee and being an owner has been one of the more important adjustments of the transition.
What has been the biggest personal change since becoming an owner?
For Jordan, his shift has been the most significant of anyone’s, as he stepped into the role of President. He credits both his team of fellow owners and employees, along with the groundwork laid by Otten and former president John O’Reilly, for making the move into leadership feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
How has employee ownership shaped the company’s culture and decision-making?
Day-to-day, very little looks different to most employees. But at the ownership level, building a strong employee culture has become a deliberate, ongoing mission. The group is committed to making Otten Bros. as good a place to work as it can be.
What does this transition mean for customers?
The commitment to service and quality that has defined Otten Bros. since 1953 isn’t changing. Jordan is emphatic that it never will. What has evolved is the emphasis on customer experience as a guiding phrase for the business, backed by real investment. The new ownership group has put significant capital into the company specifically to improve that experience for shoppers and landscaping clients alike.
What role does Cliff Otten’s legacy play going forward?
Although Otten has stepped back from daily operations, his influence remains built into how the company runs. The current owners spent years working directly under him and came away with a shared understanding of where they wanted to take Otten Bros. next. Otten himself remains a resource the team can turn to for advice.
Cliff Otten, second-generation family member and previous owner
What are the new owners most excited about?
Above all, continuing to serve the loyal customer base Otten Bros. has built over decades. Beyond that, the group is looking forward to growth and expanding the reach of what they consider an elite lineup of products and services to an even larger audience.
What message would you like to share with customers and the community?
The core values of Otten Bros. aren’t going anywhere. The plan is to keep investing in the business to elevate the customer experience, with the Landscape Department continuing its unwavering commitment to quality. As Jordan puts it, the one promise the ownership group can make is this: Otten Bros. will keep offering the same service and quality it has since 1953 and intends to remain a fixture in the Long Lake, Wayzata, and Delano communities for many years to come.
