It all started with a game of backgammon. It was the 1970s and the game was literally everywhere. Dave Hartman put his newly acquired, self-taught leather making skills to use and designed a leather backgammon board, then started selling. He quickly had his boards featured at Good Stuff Games at the Granville Island Creekhouse, and from there, Hartman Leather was born.
Dave kept honing his leather making skills, and in 1986 he set up shop at Lonsdale Quay Market, selling leather belts, before moving shop to Granville Island Market and, in 2000, opening his store in Railspur Alley. Before shutting down in 2020, Dave spent twenty-plus years selling his belts and other leather goods at Granville Island. He has since pivoted and transferred to primarily online sales. He and his wife also decided that they would move full time to the house they had owned for the past fifteen years in Madeira Park.
Looking for a belt that will stand the test of time? Hartman Leather crafts quality, handmade leather belts and billfolds. Dave uses top-of-the-line leather, so his customers can count on its durability. Each belt is made from a solid piece of leather and outfitted with the best hardware he can source, in order to last a lifetime. Each piece has its own unique grain, revealing the natural markings of the hide, which will develop a rich patina over time.
Each of Dave’s belts is named after a local area: Hospital Bay, Whiskey Slough, Gunboat Bay, Lily Lake, Secret Cove, Wilson Creek, and many more. His website hartmanleather.com showcases all his belts. Visit to see which one matches the area where you live.
Anyone remember George’s wallet from Seinfeld? Well, Dave’s is the opposite to that. He makes simple, thin-profile billfolds that hold eight to twelve credit cards and a money clip for cash. Built to last, they fit comfortably and unobtrusively in any pocket without adding bulk.
Durable, beautifully crafted, elegant designs and workmanship are the values on which Dave has built Hartman Leather. Along with his online store, you can find Hartman Leather products at Groundwaves in Madeira Park and Flying Anvil Studio in Garden Bay.
