When David Rogers was 19 he was offered $20 to make a pair of sandals for a friend’s daughter ― even though he knew nothing about leather. “He could have asked me to make a guitar. I had no idea how to do it, but it was a challenge, and I was determined to figure it out.” Now, more than half a century later, David has clearly mastered the craft. His leather work is celebrated for its quality and fineness and his shop is a fascinating collection of finished pieces, works in progress, raw material and a variety of tools. David’s location on East Laurier Street is both his workshop and his pied-à-terre, with a small kitchen and lounge area in the back.
Originally from Denver, David moved to Montreal to be with his wife. He chose Laurier East as the ultimate location for his shop because it reminded him of Burnal Hights, the San Francisco neighbourhood in which he had been living before his move northward.
“I’m a hardcore city person, but I like to find little villages within cities,” David explains. “I knew it could work here.” He has been welcoming clients in his Montreal location since 2001.
David offers a range of services including custom orders, repairs, restoration and unique leather creations. David is entirely self-taught. Throughout the years he has relied on intuition, trial and error and a keen sense of observation to further his skill.
