TRANSACTIONS
ADVISER TO HELEN GRACE CHOCOLATES
Grand Avenue Advises on the Sale of Helen Grace Chocolates to Shamrock Corporation
Bill and Helen Grace opened their first chocolate shop in San Pedro, California in 1944. Eventually, they opened additional stores, began selling candy to schools for fund-raising campaigns, and grew to be a Southern Californian candy legacy. Helen Grace Chocolates has helped schools and other organizations reach their fundraising goals through sales of their premium boxed chocolates, chocolate Easter eggs, and chocolate bars sold exclusively through the national fundraising programs of Innisbrook Wraps.
Grand Avenue Capital has assisted the shareholders of Helen Grace in selling the assets of the Company as part of the family's succession planning. Grand Avenue initially sought an equity partner to acquire the company and held discussions with a number of strategic candidates in Europe, Asia, South America, and the USA.
Ultimately, the Company was sold to an industry leader and consumer products innovator, Shamrock Corporation, the largest domestic producer of counter roll gift wrap as well as the largest re-distributor of retail packaging products in the United States. The company is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Grand Avenue managed this transaction, providing valuation and other financial advisory services to the board of Helen Grace, managed the world-wide search for investors (including strategic and financial), and negotiated the ultimate transaction between the parties.
About Grand Avenue Capital Investment Bankers
Grand Avenue Capital is an investment banking firm focusing on middle-market merger / acquisitions (both buy-side and sell-side engagements), private placements of capital for growth opportunities, valuations and strategic investment advisory services in various industry sectors. Grand Avenue Capital's culture embraces teamwork, tenacity, perseverance and creativity to provide our domestic and international clients exceptional value, delivering skillful positioning and relentless execution. Grand Avenue Capital becomes a trusted adviser to its clients.