New Beginnings!

Back in 2018, our founder, Justin Abbiss, launched his vision of a sustainable local food delivery service: Bikeables.  6+ years, 3 bricks and mortar stores plus an on-line ordering platform, and plenty of blood, sweat and laughter later, Justin is embarking an new adventures with his family and career!  This means that Justin is stepping back as CEO but will maintain his position on the Board of Directors.  So, it's not a full goodbye, but a "see you soon"!

Now onto the new CEO!  Rachael Henderson, Strathcona Market/Operations Manager, will be stepping up to lead the team as we continue to fulfill the MRKTBOX mission: to be community leaders in the local food movement!  You'll hear more from Rachael soon!

We asked Justin to share his reflections on his time as Founder/CEO of MRKTBOX.

Read his favourite moments, biggest challenges, proudest achivements and words of wisdom for Rachael (and anyone in a leadership role). 

What are your 3 favorite MRKTBOX moments?

1. Launching Dundurn Market: It was a whirlwind—our first market, and we had no idea what we were doing! But the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the Kirkendall Neighborhood was incredible. In the weeks leading up to the opening, we invited the neighborhood to write on the front windows about what they wanted Dundurn Market to be. From product ideas to the vibe and  specific events, the responses were so inspiring. Little kids wrote on the windows, as did elderly folks sharing their vision. It was such a special moment of community connection.

2. The B-Corp party at Ottawa Market in 2022: What an unforgettable event! We had a "Born in the 80s" band play, featured all kinds of local vendors, and we even built a stage in the alleyway of Ottawa Market. The turnout was amazing, and the energy was incredible—it was a true celebration of everything MRKTBOX stands for.

3. Launching Strathcona Market: Taking over the space from the Mustard Seed and reopening as Strathcona Market was such a proud moment. The neighborhood showed up in droves, and we had a line stretching almost the entire length of the store for most of the day. It was amazing to see that kind of excitement and support from the local community.

What is your proudest MRKTBOX achievement?

Creating a business that not only grew to $4M in annual revenue but also earned B-Corp certification. It’s a testament to how we’ve prioritized sustainability, community impact, and local food while balancing profitability. Being recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies—twice—and as a change maker by The Globe and Mail solidified that we’re doing meaningful work.

What was one of the biggest challenges?

Navigating the early days of the pandemic was one of the most challenging moments. I’ll never forget a pivotal night when we had to decide whether to stay open or close down. At the time all the major sports leagues, big business like Google & Meta were laying people off and local restaurants were closing and we were faced with the question of whether we opened our doors in the morning.  The well-being of our team was at the forefront of the decision. We held a late-night phone call and Google Chat with most of the team at the time to gauge their comfort level with staying open. The decision was unanimous—the team wanted to stay open and serve the community. That moment not only shaped the culture of MRKTBOX but also reinforced the importance of community and collaborative decision-making within our team. It highlighted how deeply everyone cared about both each other and the people we serve, and it became a cornerstone of how we operated moving forward.

What will you miss about MRKTBOX?

The people. From long-standing employees like Helen to the small vendors and farmers who’ve been part of the journey, I’ll miss the relationships we’ve built and the joy of collaborating with people who share a passion for local food and community. I’ll also miss the daily buzz of seeing our markets bring life to their neighborhoods.  But I’ll be back to visit often!

Words of wisdom for the new CEO?

• Embrace the team: Trust in their ideas and strengths—they’re your greatest resource.

• Keep the mission central: Always prioritize community impact and local food. It’s what sets MRKTBOX apart.

• Innovate boldly: The industry is always evolving. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas to meet customer needs while staying true to our values.

• Take care of yourself: Leading MRKTBOX can be all-consuming, but balance is key to staying effective and inspired.

We thank you Justin, we are really going to miss having you around, bud!!

See you soon!!