Hartman Leather, Vancouver, BC

He sold his first backgammon board in downtown Vancouver on Hornby Street, outside the Candy Store nightclub. Hartman soon found an enthusiastic audience at craft shows and public markets for his one of a kind backgammon boards as well as his growing repertoire of bags, belts, money clips and more. Dave sold his work all over the city, including the Creekhouse, one of the few shops operating on Granville Island in the 1970s. As a self-taught artisan, Dave found that the creative and exciting environment on Granville Island would be the perfect place to set up shop. In 1988, Hartman was invited to take a day table at the Granville Island Public Market, and in 2001 he opened his store in his current location on Railspur Alley. Dave's most significant source of pride is his returning clientele. Customers from near and far return to the shop year after year, expecting and getting the high standard of expert craftsmanship and customer service that they associate with Hartman Leather.