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Learn more about the family behind The Boathouse.
🌿 The Herr Family
Three Generations on the Avon River
Although time didn’t allow this moment to happen, technology helped us imagine it. An AI-generated tribute to our grandparents who started it all and the legacy we carry forward.
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1965 – 1995
Ed & Audrey Herr
The Beginning
In 1965, our grandparents, Ed and Audrey Herr, laid the foundation for what would become a Stratford summer tradition.
With a deep love for the river and a strong work ethic, they built The Boathouse into a gathering place — where families could paddle, share a treat, and spend long afternoons by the water.
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Those early years were simple, hands-on, and heart-driven. Canoes lined the shore. Children learned to row. Visitors returned year after year. That same spirit of gathering had already taken shape just a few blocks away. From 1965 to March 1969, Ed and Audrey also operated Club 42, a short-lived but vibrant teen-oriented nightclub and live music venue at 42 Wellington Street in downtown Stratford. It quickly became a place where young people could come together in a safe, energetic space. Bands such as The Guess Who and The Soul Society performed there, bringing live music and excitement to the city during a transformative era.
Whether on the dance floor or along the riverbank, our grandparents believed in creating places where people felt welcome and connected.
As grandparents, they didn’t just pass down a business — they passed down values. Hard work. Hospitality. Pride in showing up each day. A belief that spaces matter because people gather within them.
Ed passed away in 1994, and Audrey in 2005. Though they are no longer with us, their legacy remains woven into the dock, the patio, and the rhythm of every summer season.
The spirit of hospitality that began with our grandparents continues to guide us today.
1995 – 2025
Frank & Deb Herr
Growing the Tradition​
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In 1995, our parents, Frank and Deb Herr, became the second generation to steward The Stratford Boathouse — also known as Avon Boat Rentals — carrying forward the foundation built by Ed and Audrey.
For the next 30 years, they guided the business with care and consistency, always keeping community access, family involvement, and respect for the natural beauty of the Avon River at the heart of their decisions.
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For our dad, the Boathouse was never just a workplace — it was part of his upbringing. Born and raised in Stratford, he began working on the dock at just eight years old alongside his father, Ed. Summers shaped his understanding of responsibility, service, and pride in maintaining something meaningful. Though he later built a career in insurance, the river remained home. In 1995, he returned to lead the Boathouse full time, continuing the legacy he had grown up in.
Our mom brought her own strength and perspective to the partnership.
Born and raised in Sebringville, she is the daughter of Jean and Wib Herman — lifelong residents deeply rooted in local agriculture, entrepreneurship, and public service. Her parents farmed in the Sebringville area for many years. Our grandfather, Wib, was owner of Spinning Wheel Motors in Stratford, a life member of Stratford Masonic Lodge #332 AF & AM, and a dedicated public servant. He served 11 years on Ellice Township Council as Councillor and Deputy Reeve, five years as Reeve, seven years on Perth County Council, and in 1971 served as Warden of Perth County. He was instrumental in the formation of the Ellice-Downie Fire Department and played a leadership role in the development of the Sebringville Athletic Association.
From them, our mom inherited a deep respect for community, stewardship, and local enterprise.
Before joining the Boathouse full time, she worked as a buyer in the automotive industry — experience that strengthened her business instincts and organizational leadership. When our parents stepped into ownership in 1995, she became an integral part of the daily operations, helping stabilize and grow the business through three decades of change.
Together, they created an environment where staff felt like family and guests felt genuinely welcomed.
They raised us along the riverbank, teaching us the value of hard work, adaptability, and gratitude. Our mom often reminds us, “Be happy… don’t worry,” a philosophy that carried the Boathouse through shifting seasons and evolving tourism.
In 2025, they passed stewardship to us, marking the completion of their 30-year chapter in our family’s 60-year history on the Avon River.
Their legacy is not only in the business they sustained — but in the example they set.
2025- Present
Kelan & Melissa Herr
The Next Chapter​
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In 2026, we became the third generation of our family to steward The Stratford Boathouse.
We were raised along this river. Some of our earliest memories are of summers on the dock — watching our grandparents and parents greet guests, untie boats, serve up our iconic $1 ice cream, and care for this place with quiet pride. The Boathouse was never just where our family worked. It was where we grew up.
We learned early that this wasn’t simply a business — it was a responsibility. A place woven into Stratford’s story. A place where families return year after year, where children learn to paddle, and where summer feels the way it’s meant to.
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Stepping into ownership is both an honour and a privilege. Our goal is not to change what makes The Boathouse special, but to protect it — while thoughtfully evolving it for the next generation. We are committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Avon River, keeping the experience welcoming and accessible, and ensuring that the warmth our grandparents began continues forward.
We carry with us the values passed down to us: Hard work. Community. Gratitude. Stewardship.
The tradition continues — and we are proud to write the next chapter.