Many of you know who Darren Bush is and are familiar with Rutabaga, the paddlesports store in Madison, WI. He has decided to close the retail store at the end of 2025. The good news is that Canoecopia will continue.

Here is the link to the article. It’s a Facebook post so I would imagine you have to be on FB to be able to read it. My apologies.

Rutabaga to close end of 2025

What kind of news is this???

I was so sad reading the post title, then read Darren’s message and was brought to tears.

He and his wife deserve to live the life that fulfills their hearts. This next chapter is perfect for Darren.

I wish I still had the ability to paddle cuz I would sure help make a dent in his stock.

So happy they made the decision after thoroughly thinking it through. The paddling community will continue, they will chart a new course to find gear or create their own. Darren and his wife will continue helping people find joy in life. I’m happy for them and happy for their gear that finds loving homes.

Shocked by this news to say the least. Grateful that Canoecopia will continue.

What's crazy to me is they just built their new retail shop...I understand Darren's decision to not want to sell but it really feels like a blow to the paddling community. Not just in Madison, but the entire state as well. To my knowledge, there aren't many shops like Rutabaga around, especially in an area where the water freezes over for multiple months a year.

I can't help but wonder what the gear selection will be like at Canoecopia. While there's a multitude of vendors, many items I bought were from Rutabaga due to the discount offered there. Time will tell.

I feel sorry for the employees.

As Darren states, "We just hit 995 reviews on Google with a 4.9 star rating. That doesn’t just happen. The Rutabaga staff are the best people I know, and I am truly grateful for all of them."

Sorry to hear this but it is understandable given Darren’s reasoning. I remember the store when it was located on Monroe St in the old IGA grocery building and owned by Gordy Sussman. I too was surprised given that he just built the new store. Perhaps someone will decide to open a similar business and maybe even in the new building.

And I am glad Canoecopia will continue because it is the event where my longtime paddling group gathers for an annual reunion and many of us put together trips for the coming season.

I purchased a Wenonah canoe from them last year. Wenonah's policy is for warranty claims to go through the dealer that the canoe was purchased from. Anyone have an idea of if I would be unable to submit a warranty claim if something was to happen after Rutabaga closes its doors?

Obviously I will ask Wenonah directly too.

bnics: "...I understand Darren's decision to not want to sell..."

I don't. He talks about being proud of building the outdoor community and from comments here he was obviously successful at doing that. Then there are those that work there. All he worked so hard for is now going to be gone because he doesn't want to risk seeing it struggle. I don't know the guy but I don't understand that line of reasoning, unless there are financial problems behind the scenes.

plmn - After thinking about it more the past couple days, I don't understand either. You had a prime location on a beautiful lake only to build a new building with a small pond in the back. That was only 3 years ago? And now you are closing up shop completely?

We don't know the full story. I wonder if the move was a bit of an over-extension? Seeing a lot of people on the Madison subreddit complain about the hours that may have hurt business (10AM-6PM, not open Sundays). I don't want to speculate too much but you're right. It doesn't add up.

plmn: "

bnics: "...I understand Darren's decision to not want to sell..."

I don't. He talks about being proud of building the outdoor community and from comments here he was obviously successful at doing that. Then there are those that work there. All he worked so hard for is now going to be gone because he doesn't want to risk seeing it struggle. I don't know the guy but I don't understand that line of reasoning, unless there are financial problems behind the scenes. "

Look what happened to Bell Canoe after it was purchased. He may not want it to turn out like that. I say the guy has good principals.

Had been wanting to try out a RBW pack for some time so decided to do my part to help clear out inventory and finally pulled the trigger. Love the pack so far.

Blatz: "

plmn: "

bnics: "...I understand Darren's decision to not want to sell..."

I don't. He talks about being proud of building the outdoor community and from comments here he was obviously successful at doing that. Then there are those that work there. All he worked so hard for is now going to be gone because he doesn't want to risk seeing it struggle. I don't know the guy but I don't understand that line of reasoning, unless there are financial problems behind the scenes. "

Look what happened to Bell Canoe after it was purchased. He may not want it to turn out like that. I say the guy has good principals."

Finding someone to pay for the Business name and the property that actually knows what to do and will put the time and effort in to make the business actually successful? That’s probably a tough if not impossible task. I know Midwest Mountaineering had the same issue and it was better in the end to just end it on a good note.

T

timatkn: "

Finding someone to pay for the Business name and the property that actually knows what to do and will put the time and effort in to make the business actually successful? That’s probably a tough if not impossible task. I know Midwest Mountaineering had the same issue and it was better in the end to just end it on a good note.

T"

T"

Exactly. How many times has a reputable, customer-friendly business been bought and then the operation &/or reputation run into the ground? A multitude. I'm sure it would have eaten away at him to potentially see the Rutabaga name eroded to "it used to be a great store, but...".

(That said, I'm very very bummed to see it go. The store is beautiful, welcoming, and ethically-run.)
I wonder about the logistics of Canoecopia, as the inventory won't be Rutabaga's. But I'm sure Darren has a plan.

"I wonder about the logistics of Canoecopia, as the inventory won't be Rutabaga's. But I'm sure Darren has a plan."

Don't be so sure about that - the inventory part. I've pondered that too and if you go back to Jackfish's link to Darren's post, he says "I've made the decision to retire from retail, and close the physical building part of Rutabaga Paddlesports" - so he's not saying he's closing Rutabaga altogether. How does he keep Canocopia going and how do goods continue to be sold? Well, he'd need a business! Like Rutabaga! So Rutabaga OWNS Canoecopia - which is NOT the physical building part. I'm saying THAT is the business basis to continue Canoecopia. He's already got a website everyone has bookmarked....couple of updates, good to go. He's got all the vendor arrangements already and a lot of the inventory at Canoecopia was brought in by those vendors/manufacturers just for the event. They just keep doing that. I'd also heard that most of annual business income came from Canoecopia and that makes sense as it'd be hard pressed to see 30+ thousand people go through a small retail shop. You'd need 575 people a week to even match that...every week.

I guess we'll all have to wait until March (or closer to it...) to find out! Only 140 days!

pd

OK, that generally makes sense and doesn’t sound so bad, the way you put it. Thx!

Regarding the inventory at Canoecopia. I have worked at the show 4 times and it was explained to me that almost all the inventory had been purchased by Rutabaga for the show. If you paid for something at a booth on the show floor that inventory was owned and sold directly by that vendor. On one occasion I helped the Yakima reps unload a large amount of stock from their truck. When I asked them how much stock they bring for the show, they explained that all of the stock they brought is already owned by Rutabaga and that they are at the show representing Yakima because Rutabaga is a good customer. The way I understood it, Rutabaga has a huge investment in inventory at the show. So I would believe sales at the show represent a large percentage of Rutabaga’s annual sales. One year Darren Bush told the show employees during setup that the industry has learned that sales at Canoecopia are a good predictor of annual sales for the entire water sports industry for that year. Rutabaga’s boat buyer once told me they have a boat inventory for the show of around 1200 boats as I recall. All my experience working at the show was pre-Covid so I don’t know it it operates differently now.

I haven't found a link to it but Darren sent an email last night.

Rutabaga is no longer closing and he is looking to sell the business.

Sorry for posting twice. This is the message Darren sent out last night:

"Big news, again.

Well, things changed in a few weeks.

Not long ago, I shared with you my deeply personal decision to retire and to close Rutabaga Paddlesports at the end of 2025. That message came from a place of honesty and reflection, and I am still moving forward with my own next chapter in chaplaincy and service work.

BUT...

Since sending that information to the world, something wonderful has happened. In the weeks that followed, I was approached by a number of individuals who share a passion for paddling, the outdoors, and the community we’ve built together.

Their message: Please reconsider closing, we love Rutabaga.

After careful thought and heartfelt conversations with many mentors, I’ve realized that there is a path forward for Rutabaga that does not end with the doors closing. To quote my friend Ed, "Yeah, I thought that would happen." It did.

I am pleased to let you know that, instead of winding down operations, Stephanie and I are now pursuing selling, and keeping it alive for the next generation.

My priority has always been to ensure that Rutabaga’s mission—to connect people with paddling, nature, and each other—continues in the right hands. There are prospective new owners who share those values and who can steward this legacy. Several have articulated how much they love the shop: "I feel good every time I come into the shop. I love it there."

What does this mean for you? In the near term, nothing changes—except Rutabaga remains open, our staff remains dedicated to serving you, and Canoecopia will continue as planned. Looking further ahead, my hope is that this transition will allow Rutabaga to thrive for years to come, even as I step into my new calling.

To our staff and to all of you—our customers, partners, and friends—I want to thank you for your support, patience, and encouragement. I recieved literally hundreds of emails, Facebook comments, and even hand-written cards.

It was your responses to my original message that reminded me just how meaningful this community is. I am humbled by your kindness, and grateful for the chance to create a future for Rutabaga beyond me.

I will keep you updated as we move through this transition, and I remain confident that the best chapters of Rutabaga’s story are still to come.

We're still having a retirement sale to get inventory lower for the winter. Please feel free to keep coming in!

Thankfully,

Darren, Stephanie, Maki, Whitney, Brit, Ian, and Lucy"


I still haven't found it posted anyone to link to it. But that's the message, aside from a few pictures he attached.

Hopefully everything works out with this new buyer!