About the Owners

Cara & Travis Loving met in 2020 and fell in love on the spot. Travis proposed with a flash mob and they got married in Greece three years later. Having both owned their own companies prior to meeting, they dreamed of creating something together in this new chapter of their lives. That dream is MRE Mercantile Men’s Clothier!

Cara grew up in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and has spent more than two decades rooted in the Annapolis community, raising her son and daughter in West Annapolis. Entrepreneurial by nature, she was selling handmade T-shirts as a kid and working in her family’s restaurant long before she ever held a job title. Community has always been central to her life, from coaching an elementary school running program to founding the Annapolis Triathlon Club.

She entered retail in 2008 after being recruited by lululemon to open its Annapolis store, launching a career with fast-growing brands including Under Armour and Warby Parker. She went on to support regional and national store expansions, leading teams through hiring, training, and grand openings. Known for her people-first leadership and operational strength, Cara creates spaces where teams thrive, customers feel welcome, and communities feel connected.

Travis grew up in a military family in Crofton, Maryland and attended Arundel High School. At a young age, he discovered his passion for the sport of lacrosse. He pursued his love of lacrosse and his country by attending West Point. Go Army! Beat Navy!

After the military, he taught math and coached lacrosse for twenty years at The Haverford School in Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, he founded a club lacrosse company, Mesa Lacrosse, where he is responsible for the company’s budget, accounting, and marketing - basically anything utilizing his favorite computer program - Excel!

Together with their two kids, McKay and Zoë, they are all excited to operate a family business. Rooted in hustle and heart, the family has always believed in showing up, working hard, and taking pride in the details. Building something together isn’t just about selling men’s clothing - it’s about creating a lasting mark grounded in community, care, and connection.

Approach & Promise

The store is carefully curated with collections of unique, high-quality, and noteworthy brands that have a distinct style and trusted reputation. We focus on managing inventory closely, so our customers will find something new, fun, and special during each visit. Our assortment of apparel, outerwear, accessories, and gifts ensures that customers leave the store styled for that important meeting, round of golf with dad, day on the water with the family, or night spent around the fire.

MRE Mercantile Men’s Clothier is recognized for its remarkable shopping experience, expertise, and good vibes. Upon entering the store, customers are greeted with a smiling face from a Style Guide, who is excited to get to know them and their preferences. MRE Mercantile Men’s Clothier is more than just a store, it's a curated experience. Our Style Guides offer personalized service in a welcoming atmosphere designed to inspire and delight. From a relaxing lounge, personalized styling advice, to bespoke gift wrapping, every customer feels like a VIP.

We invite you to stop in, stay awhile, and make yourself at home. There’s always something good on the playlist and usually something cold in the fridge.

Name of Store

Each word of MRE Mercantile is intentional. The store is located in the heart of Eastport, right over the bridge from Annapolis. The first part of the name is inspired by the area’s quirky and spirited neighbors who created the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) to promote and encourage the patronage of Eastport businesses. That history resonates because we’re creating this venture to be a local hub where neighbors can shop, style & socialize.

The second part of the name speaks to our vision of a welcoming space where customers feel like more than just shoppers. We're drawing inspiration from the memories of exploring the charming Southern general stores of our childhood, where community and connection were as important as the goods themselves. MRE Mercantile Men's Clothier is a modern interpretation of that spirit, offering a curated selection of quality goods alongside a genuinely hospitable and engaging experience.

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@mremercantile