Bob and Cathy Trame Return to Grand Rapids to Open The Green Towpath
Former owners of the Grand Kerr House return to a community they love, bringing a new locally owned plant store to Front Street.

Some places leave such a lasting impression that they always feel like home. For Bob and Cathy Trame, Grand Rapids, Ohio, is one of those places.

The Trames, who previously lived in Grand Rapids and owned the historic Grand Kerr House, have returned to the community they love to begin a new chapter with the opening of The Green Towpath, a locally owned houseplant store at 24163 Front Street.

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will coordinate a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m., celebrating the Trames’ new business and their return to the community. Community members, local business owners, and plant lovers are invited to join in welcoming them back.

Their return is about more than opening a business. It reflects the special connection they have maintained with Grand Rapids and the people who make the community unique. Having experienced life here before, Bob and Cathy know firsthand what makes the village special. Their decision to return and establish a new business is another way to put down roots in a place that has long held meaning for them.

The Green Towpath officially opened its doors on October 9, just in time for the annual Applebutter Fest. The store grew from Cathy’s lifelong love of houseplants and her desire to share that passion with others. After 50 years in the automotive industry, Cathy is embracing a new chapter, creating a welcoming place where plants, people, and community come together and Bob is dedicated it’s success.

At The Green Towpath, customers can explore the world of indoor plants, share their enthusiasm for growing, and discover how houseplants can bring beauty, companionship, and joy into everyday life. Whether experienced plant enthusiasts or those just beginning their plant journey, visitors are encouraged to stop in, ask questions, and find something that helps their own love of plants grow.

For the Trames, this new venture brings together two things they value deeply: a passion for plants and a love for the Grand Rapids community.

“We’re excited to be back in Grand Rapids and to once again be part of a community that means so much to us,” said Bob and Cathy Trame. “The Green Towpath gives us an opportunity to share our love of plants while reconnecting with old friends and getting to know even more of our neighbors.”

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon cutting will mark an exciting milestone for The Green Towpath and offer the community an opportunity to welcome the Trames home.