Tandy Leather Factory
American specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of leather, leathercraft materials, tools, and related supplies.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Tandy Leather Factory is an American specialty retailer and wholesale distributor serving leatherworkers, hobbyists, artisans, teachers, small businesses, and other craft customers. Its merchandise spans leather hides and pieces, hardware, dyes and finishes, hand tools, stamping equipment, sewing and lacing supplies, kits, patterns, books, and workshop accessories. The company combines store-based retailing with wholesale and mail-order activity, reflecting the direct-to-consumer and instructional model that has long characterized the leathercraft trade. The business traces its origins to 1919, when Norton Hinckley and Dave L. Tandy established the Hinckley-Tandy Leather Company in Fort Worth, Texas. The original business concentrated on sole leather and related materials sold to shoe-repair dealers. During the Second World War, restrictions on civilian leather availability encouraged the company to develop leatherworking as a hobby market while maintaining supply relationships connected with military needs. After returning from military service, Charles Tandy joined the family enterprise in 1948 and pushed it toward dedicated leathercraft retailing. The first two stores focused exclusively on leathercraft opened in 1950, following a separation between the partners that left Hinckley in the shoe-findings business and the Tandy family focused on leathercraft. Tandy expanded rapidly through mail-order sales, store openings, and acquisitions of other handicraft businesses. By 1961 it reportedly operated 125 stores in 105 cities in the United States and Canada, and the corporate name had become Tandy Corporation. The corporation later became associated with RadioShack, but in the 1970s its businesses were reorganized into separate corporate structures. Tandy Leather was no longer part of the same corporate umbrella as RadioShack after the restructuring announced in 1975. A separate successor enterprise emerged after the late-1970s transition. Former Tandy executives Wray Thompson and Ron Morgan developed a new leathercraft venture that became The Leather Factory. Through related Midas Leathercraft companies, the partners acquired The Leather Factory's assets in January 1985 after its former owner, the Brown Group, decided to divest smaller or non-core operations. The business grew from a small regional operation into a retailer and supplier with stores, manufacturing and sourcing relationships, wholesale programs, and a national customer base. It moved its warehouse and factory operations from Chattanooga to Fort Worth by 1989 and acquired American Leather Company in 1991. The Leather Factory became publicly traded through a reverse merger in 1993. In 2000 it purchased the operating assets of Tandy Leather Company, which had closed its sales units in 1999 and shifted to mail-order and Internet marketing. The combined business retained the operating platform of The Leather Factory while reviving the better-known Tandy name. In 2005 the corporate name officially changed to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., combining the historical recognition of Tandy Leather with the continuity of The Leather Factory. The company later expanded its international presence, including a combination wholesale and retail store in Minto near Sydney in 2011 and a second European location in Cádiz, Spain, in 2012. In 2013 it opened a flagship store beside its Fort Worth headquarters. The headquarters complex also houses the Al and Ann Stohlman Leathercraft Museum and Gallery, which presents historic leather art and related work by prominent leathercraft artists. Tandy Leather's present identity is therefore built around specialized retail distribution, education and community engagement, and the preservation of leathercraft traditions, rather than mass-market general merchandise.
History
Tandy Leather began in Fort Worth in 1919 as the Hinckley-Tandy Leather Company, founded by Norton Hinckley and Dave L. Tandy to supply sole leather and related materials to Texas shoe-repair dealers. Wartime rationing later encouraged a stronger focus on leatherworking as a hobby, while the company retained supply priority through work connected to the armed forces. Charles Tandy joined after the war and promoted a dedicated leathercraft retail model. In 1950 the company opened its first two stores specializing in leathercraft, and the original partnership was divided so that Hinckley could continue in shoe findings while the Tandy family pursued leathercraft. The new retail concept used stores, mail-order catalogs, and acquisitions of handicraft businesses. It grew quickly across the United States and Canada, reaching 125 stores in 105 cities by 1961. The corporate name became Tandy Corporation, which subsequently developed substantial interests outside leathercraft, including RadioShack. A 1975 reorganization separated the leather business from the RadioShack and other corporate activities, ending Tandy Leather's position under the same corporate umbrella. Following the death of Charles Tandy in 1978 and the departure of Wray Thompson from the Tandy Leather presidency, Thompson and Ron Morgan began developing a new leathercraft enterprise. Their early structure included Midas Leathercraft Tool Company, MT Enterprises, and Midas Leathercraft retail operations. In 1980 they worked with the Scholze Tannery, a Brown Group division, to develop leathercraft activities. The resulting business became known as The Leather Factory. By 1984, Ivan Leathercraft was producing more than 1,000 items for Midas Leathercraft Tool Company, while The Leather Factory operated six stores. When the Brown Group decided to divest smaller, unprofitable, or non-shoe operations, Midas Leathercraft Tool Company acquired The Leather Factory's assets in January 1985. The company introduced a wholesale club in 1986, moved its warehouse and factory from Chattanooga to Fort Worth in 1989, and opened its twelfth location that year. It acquired American Leather Company in 1991 and reached fourteen stores. Management responsibilities were increasingly delegated to executives including Jon Thompson, Mark Angus, Greg Sartor, and Robin Myers Morgan. The company entered public markets through a reverse merger on the American Stock Exchange in 1993. Tandy Leather Company, the earlier leathercraft retail business, closed its sales units in 1999 and continued primarily through mail order and Internet marketing. On November 30, 2000, The Leather Factory purchased its operating assets. The acquisition restored the Tandy name to a broader store-based leathercraft network. In 2005 the corporate name changed to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. Wray Thompson retired in 2006, Ron Morgan became chief executive, and in 2009 Jon Thompson succeeded him after Ron Morgan and Robin Myers Morgan retired. The company subsequently expanded beyond its United States base. It opened an Australian combination wholesale and retail store in Minto near Sydney in 2011 and a second European location in Cádiz, Spain, in 2012. In 2013 it opened a flagship store beside its Fort Worth headquarters. The headquarters lobby includes the Al and Ann Stohlman Leathercraft Museum and Gallery, which displays historic leather art and works associated with artists including Ken Griffin, George Hurst, Jim Linnell, Al Shelton, and Christine Stanley. Tandy Leather's historical development thus connects industrial leather supply, hobby retail, wholesale distribution, mail order, international stores, and the preservation of leathercraft culture.
- 2013
Fort Worth flagship and museum established
[1]Tandy opened a flagship store beside headquarters and placed the Al and Ann Stohlman collection in the headquarters museum and gallery.
- 2005
Corporate name becomes Tandy Leather Factory
[1]The combined business adopted the Tandy Leather Factory name.
- 2000
Tandy Leather operating assets acquired
[1]The Leather Factory purchased the operating assets of Tandy Leather Company.
- 1993
Company becomes publicly traded
[1]The Leather Factory entered public markets through a reverse merger on the American Stock Exchange.
- 1991
American Leather Company acquired
[1]The Leather Factory acquired American Leather Company and expanded its store network.
- 1985
Midas acquires The Leather Factory assets
[1]Midas Leathercraft Tool Company acquired The Leather Factory's operating assets from the Brown Group.
- 1975
Corporate businesses reorganized
[1]Tandy announced a plan to separate its diverse businesses, taking Tandy Leather out of the same corporate structure as RadioShack.
- 1961
National store network reaches 125 locations
[1]Tandy Leather operated 125 stores in 105 cities across the United States and Canada.
- 1950
First dedicated leathercraft stores open
[1]Charles Tandy led the opening of the first two stores focused exclusively on leathercraft.
- 1919
Hinckley-Tandy Leather Company founded
[1]Norton Hinckley and Dave L. Tandy established the Fort Worth leather-goods company serving shoe-repair dealers.
Products and positioning
A specialist leathercraft destination combining retail stores, wholesale distribution, mail-order and online selling, project education, and heritage-oriented community engagement.
Leather
Leather materials
The company supplies leather hides, panels, strips, and smaller pieces for projects ranging from wallets and belts to footwear, bags, saddlery, and decorative work. Materials are offered for different construction, tooling, dyeing, and finishing techniques.
Tools and equipment
Leathercraft tools
Tandy's tool assortment supports cutting, punching, stamping, carving, skiving, sewing, riveting, and edge finishing. The range serves beginners through experienced leatherworkers and includes equipment for both handcraft and workshop use.
Hardware
Leathercraft hardware and findings
Hardware and findings include components used to assemble and reinforce leather goods, such as fasteners, buckles, snaps, rivets, rings, and related accessories. These products support both functional construction and decorative customization.
Leather treatment
Dyes, finishes, and adhesives
The assortment includes coloring, conditioning, sealing, polishing, and bonding products used to alter the appearance and durability of leather projects. Such supplies are central to tooling, antiquing, edge treatment, and final finishing.
Craft kits and education
Leathercraft kits and instructional materials
Kits, patterns, books, and related instructional products help customers complete defined projects and learn leatherworking techniques. They also support Tandy's long-standing role in making leathercraft accessible to hobbyists and new entrants.
Brand decisions
2005
Rebrand as Tandy Leather FactoryStrategyBackground
Management sought to preserve The Leather Factory's operating continuity while using Tandy Leather's stronger recognition in the leathercraft industry.
Action taken
The company officially changed its corporate name to Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
Aftermath
The combined identity became the company's principal public-facing brand.
2000
Acquire Tandy Leather operating assetsM&ABackground
Tandy Leather Company had closed its sales units in 1999 and was operating primarily through mail order and Internet marketing.
Action taken
The Leather Factory purchased Tandy Leather Company's operating assets on November 30, 2000.
Aftermath
The acquisition reunited The Leather Factory's operating platform with the historically recognized Tandy Leather name.
1975
Separate Tandy's major businessesStrategyBackground
The corporation operated businesses with substantially different markets and management requirements.
Action taken
The board announced a plan to separate the businesses into distinct publicly held companies, including Tandycrafts and Tex Tan-Hickok.
Aftermath
Tandy Leather and RadioShack were no longer operated under the same corporate umbrella.
1950
Shift toward dedicated leathercraft retailStrategyBackground
Charles Tandy believed the growing leathercraft hobby market warranted a business focused specifically on leatherworking supplies rather than primarily on shoe-repair materials.
Action taken
The company opened two stores specializing exclusively in leathercraft and separated its operations from the shoe-findings business retained by Norton Hinckley.
Aftermath
The move established the retail model that drove Tandy Leather's subsequent store, mail-order, and wholesale expansion.
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