After sale, longtime Columbus canoe livery reopens with new owners, big plans for the future


When Trapper John’s Canoe Livery & Creekside Cafe closed and was listed for sale in 2024, outdoor enthusiasts of central Ohio mourned. Located on the Big Darby at 7141 London-Groveport Rd in Grove City, Trapper John’s had been in business since 1970, and was the only commercial livery allowed to operate on Big Darby Creek.
Now, canoe and kayak fans can rejoice! Trapper John’s is officially under new ownership and will be reopening in May for the 2025 season. According to a Facebook post on January 24, 2025, Trapper John’s says:
“We’re thrilled to announce that Trapper Johns is officially reopening Spring 2025! We’re working hard to get everything ready to welcome you back for another season of paddling adventures and fun memories with friends and family.”
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We reached out to Trapper John’s to get the scoop.
Currently, the new owners have plans for multiple renovations, including building an additional 40 ft x 80 ft building, and reopening Creekside Cafe.
“We have 61 more boats coming, and we re-did the fence and parking lot,” the owners said. “There are two things we are really focusing on right now. One, that we uphold the legacy that the previous owners had for so long. We want to do right by the community, and make sure everyone is safe and has a good time. Secondly, we are really leaning into the conservation aspect. Whether it’s working with nearby metro parks, or doing trash pickups in the river.”
Trapper John’s is actively exploring other partnerships in the community to build conservation efforts, and is hiring for many positions.
“We are blown away by the community support on this,” they said.
As for me, I can’t wait to visit Creekside Cafe again and get back out on the Big Darby in a kayak! For future updates, follow Trapper John’s on Instagram at @trapperjohnscanoelivery and at trapperjohnscanoeing.com.
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