Captain Liam
Captain Liam Helmes is the fearless leader of The Pirates Cove. He is the vision and the face of the shop. Without him, The Pirates Cove would not be the success that it is today.
Liam got his start with pirating at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. He auditioned for the festival in 1994 and was immediately cast in a key scenario role as a pirate. During his tenure on their cast, he was trained in improv and sword play under the tutelage of Jenny Jones, a SAFD Certified Teacher.
As with most performers, he picked up a crafting trade or two to keep him busy and to earn an extra buck or two. He picked up leatherworking and specialized in making sheaths. He approached Byron Personett and offered his services a sheath maker for The Pirates Treasure. Byron recognized Liam's skill in leather work and his ability to sell him on the product. Byron offered a prime sales position.
Liam joined Byron on the road and started selling swords full time in 1997. He traveled with Byron to Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. Liam quickly became the top salesman and the face of the Pirate's Treasure. He was also heavily involved in developing all of the promotions and the auction. He also helped identify trends in the market for The Pirate's Treasure to expand and market to their customers.
Liam's work with the Pirate's Treasure was not limited to product and sales. He helped to design and construct the Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas shops. His blood and sweat are certainly found in each of the shops. He's as much a part of them as they are to him. 2005 saw the end of an era when Byron approached him about purchasing the TRF Square and Ship. Byron was ready to retire with his wife and wanted Liam to take the flagship of his shops. Liam and Nina took ownership in early 2006. They then purchased Byron's final shop at the end of 2008.
Liam continues Byron's vision by constantly reevaluating the product lines to keep up with current trends, developing new and exciting games and finding creative ways of torturing Swabby.
Captain Liam lives in Katy, Tx with First Mate Nina, his son, four cats and one dog. He is also a founding member of Team Reboot, a Professional Scenario Paintball Team.
Liam got his start with pirating at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. He auditioned for the festival in 1994 and was immediately cast in a key scenario role as a pirate. During his tenure on their cast, he was trained in improv and sword play under the tutelage of Jenny Jones, a SAFD Certified Teacher.
As with most performers, he picked up a crafting trade or two to keep him busy and to earn an extra buck or two. He picked up leatherworking and specialized in making sheaths. He approached Byron Personett and offered his services a sheath maker for The Pirates Treasure. Byron recognized Liam's skill in leather work and his ability to sell him on the product. Byron offered a prime sales position.
Liam joined Byron on the road and started selling swords full time in 1997. He traveled with Byron to Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. Liam quickly became the top salesman and the face of the Pirate's Treasure. He was also heavily involved in developing all of the promotions and the auction. He also helped identify trends in the market for The Pirate's Treasure to expand and market to their customers.
Liam's work with the Pirate's Treasure was not limited to product and sales. He helped to design and construct the Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas shops. His blood and sweat are certainly found in each of the shops. He's as much a part of them as they are to him. 2005 saw the end of an era when Byron approached him about purchasing the TRF Square and Ship. Byron was ready to retire with his wife and wanted Liam to take the flagship of his shops. Liam and Nina took ownership in early 2006. They then purchased Byron's final shop at the end of 2008.
Liam continues Byron's vision by constantly reevaluating the product lines to keep up with current trends, developing new and exciting games and finding creative ways of torturing Swabby.
Captain Liam lives in Katy, Tx with First Mate Nina, his son, four cats and one dog. He is also a founding member of Team Reboot, a Professional Scenario Paintball Team.
Madam Nina
Madam Nina is the very proud First Mate of The Pirate's Cove. She is the business manager, marketing agent and Captain Liam's biggest fan.
She was a member of The Texas Renaissance Festival's performance company from 1996-2004. She also was a featured stage combatant for 6 of the seasons and Co-Winner of the Best Returning Character Award. She was also a member of the Production Committee and served as the Costume Coordinator for 6 years. She had the pleasure of teaching historical costuming to new performers, writing the costuming manual for the Participants Handbook and providing numerous costumes for the festival and it's performers.
In 2003 she was cast as the first German Joust Maiden for Hanlon-Lee's Action Theater. She also managed to catch the eye of one very handsome Pirate that sold swords. They started dating as a 'fling'. The fling has now lasted over six years. She decided to leave the castand joined Captain Liam in selling swords for Captain Byron for the 2005 season.
Once they purchased the shop from Byron, Nina assumed the role of shop manager. Her job and main role is ensure everyone can do their job with as great of ease as possible. She makes sure everyone is stocked with zip ties, change and tape. She does everything from inventory control to bookkeeping. She thoroughly enjoys being the paperwork pirate and leaves Captain Liam free to do what he does best.
The highlight of her day is when she returns to her performance company roots as 'Madam Nina'. She loves sitting on the ships' plank and entertaining the passers by. She also shines as the Hostess of the daily auction by warming up the crowd, assisting Liam with the swords and putting her best assets to use. She continues this persona online as she manages the shop's MySpace, Facebook and discussion forums.
In 2009 she picked up a new craft and has made it in to a subsidiary business called "Madam Nina's Pirated Pendants". Her jewelry line features Artwork from history, fantasy and Science Fiction soldered into wearable picture frames.
She lives with Liam and his son Tyler in Katy, Texas. They are also the proud parents of Fossey the Dachshund Queen and the Four Kitties of the Apocalypse: Figaro, Domino, Sparkle-Boo and Leonardo.
She was a member of The Texas Renaissance Festival's performance company from 1996-2004. She also was a featured stage combatant for 6 of the seasons and Co-Winner of the Best Returning Character Award. She was also a member of the Production Committee and served as the Costume Coordinator for 6 years. She had the pleasure of teaching historical costuming to new performers, writing the costuming manual for the Participants Handbook and providing numerous costumes for the festival and it's performers.
In 2003 she was cast as the first German Joust Maiden for Hanlon-Lee's Action Theater. She also managed to catch the eye of one very handsome Pirate that sold swords. They started dating as a 'fling'. The fling has now lasted over six years. She decided to leave the castand joined Captain Liam in selling swords for Captain Byron for the 2005 season.
Once they purchased the shop from Byron, Nina assumed the role of shop manager. Her job and main role is ensure everyone can do their job with as great of ease as possible. She makes sure everyone is stocked with zip ties, change and tape. She does everything from inventory control to bookkeeping. She thoroughly enjoys being the paperwork pirate and leaves Captain Liam free to do what he does best.
The highlight of her day is when she returns to her performance company roots as 'Madam Nina'. She loves sitting on the ships' plank and entertaining the passers by. She also shines as the Hostess of the daily auction by warming up the crowd, assisting Liam with the swords and putting her best assets to use. She continues this persona online as she manages the shop's MySpace, Facebook and discussion forums.
In 2009 she picked up a new craft and has made it in to a subsidiary business called "Madam Nina's Pirated Pendants". Her jewelry line features Artwork from history, fantasy and Science Fiction soldered into wearable picture frames.
She lives with Liam and his son Tyler in Katy, Texas. They are also the proud parents of Fossey the Dachshund Queen and the Four Kitties of the Apocalypse: Figaro, Domino, Sparkle-Boo and Leonardo.
Ships Cook, Lionel
We got very lucky in 2006 to have been introduced to Lionel. He's our lead Asian sword sales man, trained Chef and our resident expert on the pending zombie apocalypse. This gentle giant keeps us in stitches and educated on katanas, the preferred method of zombie annihilation.
He has recently relocated to Houston to help us in running the Traders Village Shop. Stop by and give him a big hug and watch him perform in his now infamous play "Tribble Theater".
He has recently relocated to Houston to help us in running the Traders Village Shop. Stop by and give him a big hug and watch him perform in his now infamous play "Tribble Theater".
Treasure Chest Girl, Katie
Katie is our youngest crew member and is our first Hawker of the Day Award Winner. She joined us this year and managed to win her award her third day on the job. This girl does not put up with BS and is a force to be reckoned with.
She's undoubtedly the most photographed of our crew and a hit with all of our male patrons. She's cute, bubbly and can totally kick your ass.
Katie will be joining us at our Traders Village Location and be begging you to dig around in her chest.
She's undoubtedly the most photographed of our crew and a hit with all of our male patrons. She's cute, bubbly and can totally kick your ass.
Katie will be joining us at our Traders Village Location and be begging you to dig around in her chest.
Undercover Ninja Operative Olivia
Olivia is our newest addition to our fine crew. This lovely young lass is very fun and very out going. But watch out! She's a former professional Tae Kwan Do Fighter and now teaches her arts to the youth of America.
Olivia can assist you in English and Spanish!
Olivia can assist you in English and Spanish!
