Next Adventure’s Scappoose Bay Kayaking, the kayaking rental company, has been purchased by Cody James Pace and Bri Eckenrodt, of Scappoose, OR. The kayak rental business was threatened with closure as Next Adventure prepares to shutter the company.
The husband-and-wife team took ownership of the company on October 1 and renamed the business The Paddle Shack, which will continue to run paddle sports rentals, retail and community events.
Next Adventure bought Scappoose Bay Kayaking from founders Steve and Bonnie Gibons in 2013, according to a media release from the new owners and Next Adventure. At its height, Next Adventure rented over 300 kayaks daily at the Bay and gradually became the most popular tourist destination in Columbia County.
Pace and Eckenrodt have been frequent paddlers on Scappoose Bay over the last four years.
“We were blown away by the birds, the wildlife and the peacefulness of Scappoose Bay,” Pace stated. “We wanted to be on the water every chance we got.”
When the couple heard that the center was going to close this fall at the end of Next Adventure’s Retirement Going-Out-of-Business Sale, a cold call to Next Adventure’s co-owner, Deek Heykamp, began a series of discussions that included the Port of Columbia County, Columbia County Small Business Resource Center and Business Oregon.
“Everyone pulled together in a real community effort to preserve access to the incredible regional resource that is Scappoose Bay Kayaking,” said Heykamp.
“The Bay offers easy paddling access for everyone, and it’s just so healing to the mind and soul,” added Pace. “Sharing the outdoors and nature with the community and being a steward of Scappoose Bay is our real passion.”
The couple are keeping the same hours as the former operation, but plan to open as early as 5 or 6 a.m. in the future to better serve the fishing community and stay open later in the summer so people can paddle after work. Ultimately, they would like to offer an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- accessible launch, a food truck, birdwatching trips, full-moon paddle tours, and community events such as concerts. Said Pace, “We want The Paddle Shack to be a community gathering place. We want people to say, ‘Meet me at The Paddle Shack!’”
“I’m so excited by the passion that Cody James and Bri bring to continuing, and expanding on, the legacy of Scappoose Bay Kayaking,” said Heykamp. “They are an amazing couple, and I hope the community will support their hard work to preserve this valuable resource. In retirement, my wife and I plan to spend much more time paddling at Scappoose Bay, and I hope to see you out there!”
At Next Adventure, liquidation sales continue at its three stores, including the flagship on Grand Avenue in Portland, its Paddle Sports Center at SE 7th Avenue in Portland and its store in Sandy. Going-out-of-business sales began on May 28 and will continue until all inventory is gone. The e-commerce site has shut down.
Image courtesy The Paddle Shack
