About Us

The Fair Haven Canvas Company was formed in 2026. We are the partnership between two canvas shops, both with long histories in the industry. Please take the time to read Our Story and find out who we are.

Our Story

The Fair Haven Canvas Company is the result of a partnership between Cooper Custom Canvas and Sterling Custom Canvas. Both companies have deep roots in the canvas industry, each having evolved from earlier businesses and experiences into the companies they had become by 2025.

In early 2026, the two companies began working more closely together, combining their experience, craftsmanship, and complementary services. What started as a partnership between two established canvas businesses soon developed into a shared vision for something more—ultimately leading to the creation of The Fair Haven Canvas Company.

Cooper Custom Canvas and Accent Awnings & Signs

Mark and Doug Cooper

In the fall of 1997, Doug tragically passed away in a racing accident. With the help of his sister Mel and several others, Mark continued operating the family business in Minetto.

Mark Cooper began his career in the canvas industry in the fall of 1987. Still a junior at Oswego High School, Mark was pulled out of school by his father, Doug Cooper, to attend specialized training with Don Wedge of the Marine Canvas Training Institute in Florida.

After completing the training, Doug and Mark started Accent Awnings, operating out of a 24-foot enclosed trailer kept at Oswego Nautical. Mark would walk to the trailer every day after school, working alongside his father and learning the trade firsthand.

Just two years later, after Mark graduated from high school, he took over the trailer operation while Doug began expanding into the awning and sign business in Minetto, New York. The business flourished and soon grew to nearly a dozen employees, serving customers throughout Upstate New York.

Accent Awnings & Signs

In 2006, Mark decided to downsize and return his focus to the work where his career had begun, establishing Cooper Custom Canvas, Inc.

Cooper Custom Canvas

Starting once again from a trailer—this time a brand-new 28-foot shop—Mark stepped away from the sign business and focused exclusively on the marine canvas and awning industries. For the past 20 years, Cooper Custom Canvas has continued serving customers throughout Upstate New York.

From walking to a 24-foot trailer after school to building a career that has now spanned nearly 40 years, Mark has spent his working life developing his craft and serving the marine canvas and awning needs of customers across Upstate New York.

Sterling Custom Canvas, Rogers Canvas, Sanders Canvas Products and The Canvas Shop

Sterling Custom Canvas' story began with Roger's Canvas in the 1940s. It continued through L.R. Sanders, Sanders Canvas Products, The Canvas Shop, and Sterling Custom Canvas.

Rogers Canvas, a Syracuse-area operation established in the 1940s. The company handled government contracts, railroad tarp repair, industrial canvas work, and even developed a patented folding camping trailer. From the beginning, the work called for durability, precision, and practical problem-solving. Josh's grandfather started working with Rogers in the 1960's. Josh's Father also began working with the Rogers.

Accent Awnings & Signs

L R Sanders

In the 1970s, that tradition continued through L.R. Sanders in Phoenix, New York. The Sander's family purchased Roger's Canvas and expanded into marine canvas, custom covers, and upholstery.

During the 1980s and 1990s, it operated as Sanders Canvas Products, serving marine, agricultural, industrial, and specialty fabrication customers. This was also when Josh began learning the trade from his father and grandfather. They taught him how to cut, sew, pattern, and work through the challenges that make custom fabrication different from anything off the shelf.

That hands-on education continued through The Canvas Shop, which Josh’s grandfather operated during the 1990s and 2000s. The shop focused primarily on repairs, giving Josh another valuable perspective on the craft. Repair work teaches you how products are built, how they wear out, and how thoughtful workmanship can make them stronger and better.

Dan Sanders

The Canvas Shop

After a roughly 10-year hiatus, the family canvas tradition returned full-time in 2016 with Sterling Custom Canvas. We began with marine canvas and upholstery. After purchasing our current facility in 2018, we expanded into automotive, recreational, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and specialty fabrication