Since it’s inception in 1997, Port Canaveral’s Cove Merchants Association has been promoting, organizing and producing community events at Port Canaveral to benefit Brevard County.
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Since it’s inception in 1997, Port Canaveral’s Cove Merchants Association has been promoting, organizing and producing community events at Port Canaveral to benefit Brevard County.
Led by hard working, dedicated and passionate business owners from Port Canaveral, the Cove Merchants Association has been the heartbeat of the port for many years.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COVE MERCHANT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
The Cove Merchants Association represents businesses large and small, who for decades, have travelled the journey of the port’s metamorphosis into a world class destination.
The Cove in Port Canaveral is a waterfront destination for tourists and locals alike.
There, you can enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, charter boats, shops, attractions, and live entertainment. Restaurants provide a variety of menu choices from finger foods to full-course dinners. Seafood is a specialty, with the day’s catch going directly from the dock to the restaurant kitchens.
“We love Port Canaveral and are proud to own and operate businesses here,” said Mike Schwarz, Cove Merchants Association Lifetime Board Member and owner of Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill.
“We feel that our Cove Merchants Association is vital to the vibrancy and growth of the Port as a tourist attraction and for our local citizens to enjoy.”
The Cove Merchants Association was established in 1997 for the purpose of providing business owners of the Port with a voice and with an organized structure, so that they could effectively create events and attract more people to Port Canaveral.
The Pink Ribbon Walk, one of Brevard’s event gems, is only one example of how the Cove Merchants Association benefits the community.
Created eight years ago by the Cove Merchants Association, the Pink Ribbon Walk will attract more than 5,000 people to the port this October 3 for a day full of fun for the whole family.
This year the event will include a walk to celebrate the fight against cancer, a 5K Run/Walk organized by the Running Zone, a hilarious bed and bathtub race, a shrimp peeling contest, and much more.
The Pink Ribbon Walk annually raises thousands of dollars to benefit the Space Coast Cancer Center Foundation which assists people in need who have been stricken with cancer.
The leadership board of the Cove Merchants Association is comprised of Lifetime Members Rhoda Solano Brennan, Mike Schwarz, Bob Jenkins, Dave Viner and Jason Solano.
Other Board members include President Voncile Franklin, Vice President Susan LaMarr, Chris Milner, Sherri McCoy, Kerry Bartlett and Rhett Fischer.
Malcolm “Mac” McLouth, who served as a Port Commissioner for 32 years, as the CEO/Executive Director of the Canaveral Port Authority, and the port’s Director of Business Development, has joined the Cove Merchants Association Board as a special Community Ambassador.
McLouth, now provides his unique perspective and insight for people at all levels of leadership at the port. He has unique knowledge of where the port has come from and where it should be going and is still an invaluable resource to all port stakeholders.
Mac McLouth
“The Cove Merchants Association includes a collection of historical port leaseholders, who made their initial investment a long time ago,” said Mclouth.
“They invested when the port was not a big deal and now that it is a big deal, their investment should be honored.”
McLouth, who has been honored with numerous accolades in appreciation for his years of service to the port, now spends his time talking with people about what is best for the future of Port Canaveral.
The Cove Merchants Association meets regularly to discuss ways to promote Port Canaveral and the passionate members are never short of ideas and for ways to improve the promotion of the port.
“We are proud of what our Cove Merchants Association has accomplished over the years,” said Voncile Franklin, Cove Merchants Association President.
“My friends and associates on the board are truly great people who care deeply about Port Canaveral and I am honored to have served with them for so many years.”
For more information about Port Canaveral’s Cove Merchants Association log on to VisitPortCanaveral.com
