About 10 years ago I sent Dena my cherished 15-year-old jacket that had torn through the neckline. Dena fixed the neck and then restored the finish of the entire jacket to better than new. Last month, the same jacket (now 25 years old) developed a huge tear over the right kidney. Once again Dena beautifully repaired the tear and then went through the entire jacket, repaired a number of worn and cracked spots and once again restored it to better than new. Hard to believe that it's now 25 years old and has been worn almost every day in the spring, fall, and winter through all those years. read more

Leather Care Specialists - Leather Goods Near Me - Avon, Illinois

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Amazing!!!! My husband has a jacket we purchased about 30 years ago. The collar was rotting off. These folks did amazing work replacing the collar and reconditioning the rest of the jacket. I'm going to send a WW II "French Resistance " jacket there next! Be patient and not in a hurry! They will tell you that and the wait is totally worth it! read more

I am BEYOND impressed by Dena's commitment to doing her best work and then standing by it. Her repairs are solid and thorough, and she's quick to respond to messages and calls. I got this coat from my dad after years in storage, and when I sent him the post-repair photos, he was amazed. "Ready for another 40 years of use!" In terms of cost and quality, I think Leather Care Specialists is probably the best option you could hope for. I looked at a lot of options online before choosing Dena, and I'm so glad I went with her. It's a bit nerve-wracking to send something off in the mail to strangers, but the personal touch she applies to working with her customers is very reassuring. I will definitely go to her first if I have need in the future. read more

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Great Leather is aptly named because Dena Hamilton offers her customers products and service that is, well, great! I've purchased several of her trumpet mouthpiece cases - for myself and as gifts for friends. The cases are beautifully crafted, can be personalized, and are perfect for avoiding the main cause of expensive trumpet dents - a collision with a loose mouthpiece! Bottom line: Great Leather gets all high notes from me! read more

Leather Care Specialists - Great Leather mouthpiece case & Edwards X-13 trumpet - Leather Goods Near Me - Avon, Illinois

What a pleasure when the service provided is exactly as advertised, and for a reasonable price, as well. A badly faded Cole Haan leather jacket was restored to a better-than-new original color, and the heavily artificial initial glaze was reduced to a very nice sheen or patina that doesn't look too artificially enhanced (as was the case with the original). Dena knows what she's doing. read more

I did six months of research before deciding where to have my grandfather's WWII bomber jacket restored. I could not have made a better choice. Dena is meticulous in every aspect of restoration. She and her staff are artisans whose pride and craftsmanship are apparent in every detail. They are restoring history that would otherwise be lost. I literally gasped when I received the restored jacket. I didn't even know this was possible. I don't regret a single minute I waited or a single penny I spent. My Grandfather would be so, so proud. read more

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Dena Hamilton, the proprietor of Leather Care Specialists(LCS) chose too weak a title for her business. Leather Care "Masters", "Wizards", "Artists", "Craftsman" would have been a more appropriate description. I mean where else and to whom would one be able to send a more than 30 year old "legacy" Leather jacket for repair other than to Dena? I found myself recently in such a position: the Leather jacket that had become more than a close friend to me, required extensive repair (fraying at the sleeves, tears in the lining & pockets, etc.), you know the sort of things that happen to your favorite clothes over time. After being told by my trusted Dry Cleaner/Tailor that it was time to "give up" on the jacket as he could do nothing else to save it, I did a bunch of online research and thankfully came upon Dena Hamilton LCS. After communicating via email with Dena and sharing with her pictures of my "legacy" 30 year old jacket showing all the problem areas I wished to be repaired, you could imagine my elation when Dena stated "Yes" she believed she could help. And Help rather RESCUED she did and in a remarkable time frame. I am way more than pleased with the outcome. When my rejuvenated leather jacket was returned to me, I immediately put it on and it felt like an old friend had stopped by to visit. In fact, I found an "old" picture of myself with the jacket when it was young too, and took a picture with a similar pose/background. And you know what, that jacket appeared as if it had only aged slightly while the old guy wearing it sure looked like he traveled a lot of miles. So if you are a person with a prized leather possession that you wish to have saved, repaired, rejuvenated, reanimated or whatever, there is hope for you and a place and a real professional "Wizardess" capable and ready to help you. Just Google "Leather Care Specialists" and begin your never to be forgotten experience with Dena Hamilton's leather work magic. You'll be happy you did. I was and am. read more

Dena did an amazing job with my vintage motorcycle jacket. It was scratched, dry leather with some stitching problems here and there. I just got it back and it looks incredible. The leather is soft and just the right amount of black color was added to cover the scratches but still allow the jacket to maintain its vintage look. I'm embarrassed to say that I neglected this jacket during the decades that I have owned it but I'll definitely take good care of it now. read more

Leather Care Specialists - Leather Goods Near Me - Avon, Illinois

Dena and crew restored my sad 25 year-old horsehide A2 jacket to as-new condition. The hide had some deep scratches and the lining was torn and frayed along the edges. She replaced the lining (not an easy task) and the scratches were perfectly spot-dyed; so well that they are invisible. I am so fortunate to have found LCS! Bruce in Fresno read more

Dena and crew at Leather Care Specialists are the undisputed experts in their craft. I have sent Dena several vintage A-2 and G-1 Flight Jackets, some in not so great condition and she has restored them to original issue condition. You can trust Leather Care Specialists with any of your leather items that need some TLC. I cannot say enough praise and thanks for such awesome quality work and exceptional customer service! read more

My coat looked and felt brand new! It was a very trustworthy service, and I highly recommend them.

Dena restored my favorite jacket - a two-tone leather one that is 28 years old and bore all the fading and dryness commensurate with that age and the thousands of miles I traveled in it - many of them on a motorcycle where it was exposed to the elements. Her work is phenomenal. She gave the old garment a new life and restored the deep-color look. I never thought it would look this good again. Many thanks, Dena! read more

Beautiful restoration of 25 year old coach leather bag. read more

Leather Care Specialists - After - wonderful! - Leather Goods Near Me - Avon, Illinois

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I sent my old, heavy Orvis leather coat to Dena and her team for repair, thinking as I did so that it was beyond repair. But I like the jacket very much so I figured it was worth one last shot at redemption. We had been told by a couple of repair shops here in New York that the coat was beyond economical repair. The coat came back from Dena far nicer than she had received it and better than when I first bought it new over 15 years ago: zip replaced, other tears and scrapes fixed, cleaned and oiled. Really better than new for which I am extremely grateful to Dena and her team. I will be send a couple of other jackets this weekend, including my wife's jackets. Thanks again Dena for the exemplary service. read more

I just had Dena refurbish two leather jackets for me. They needed a lot of work - re-dyed, new zipper and snaps, waistband replacement, cuff care. I could not be more pleased with the work she did. The jackets look fabulous. Everything about the way this business is run is very professional - great communication, promptness, thoughtfulness about the repairs needed, care in return shipping...and the pricing for the labor involved was very fair. Thanks to Dena for reviving jackets that were special to my husband and I:) read more

Dana and the folks at GreaLeather did an awesome job. I sent in a soft leather lambskin jacket that was worn with a few small tears and was amazed at the restoration work they did - came out as good as new. Dana called to explain what could be done beforehand which was super helpful. I'd highly recommend them. Thanks!!!! read more

This place was GREAT!!! I had a leather jacket I bought 20+ years ago, and it was starting to look a little ragged. Then I was involved in a motorcycle accident while wearing this same jacket, and was thrown across the asphalt roadway. Now the jacket REALLY needed to be rejuvenated! It's an old jacket, but I REALLY liked it! I have leather businesses near where I live here in San Francisco, but each of my local leather businesses had 2 or 3 scary reviews of really bad experiences, and I just didn't want to take any chances. After reading the review on the Leather CARE Specialists website, I decided they were the place I would entrust to rejuvenate my jacket. What a great choice I made! Dena Hamilton is the owner, and is very knowledgeable and personable to visit with on the phone. She told me of the services they could provide, and gave me pricing in advance. I sent in the jacket with a torn liner, a worn through collar, scuffed up sleeves and front, and a worn out zipper. After receiving my jacket, Dena called to tell me of some other things she found, and told me she would fix them for no additional charge. When they shipped my jacket back to me, it looked so close to being like a brand new jacket I could not believe it! I truly had no idea my jacket could ever look that nice again! Fixed lining (not sure how she did it, because I could not tell it had ever been torn), New zipper (lined up exactly right), new collar (which I could not tell was not original), and no indication of any scuffs or scratches on my sleeves or front at all! If you ever need a leather product rejuvenated or repaired, you can not go wrong by trusting this place to do it! I truly believe there is no one who could do it better! read more

All hail Dena Hamilton and the staff at Leather Care Specialists! Spectacular work , attention to detail, and driven to satisfy her customers! My 25 year old Wilsons leather jacket had survived 7 WI winters + 15 more in NJ, with no waterproofing or moisturizing. Leather slashed clear through in multiple places, fraying at the elastic waistband, small holes throughout -- this jacket was the working definition of abused. I received the jacket back today, and I am in awe. Your repairs and restorative work brought this jacket back to life, and the repair work is invisible! The sheer number of different issues with this piece and their locations resulted in what must have been tedious but wonderfully executed work -- for which I cannot thank you enough. Your sincerity regarding restorations of your clients' leather goods -- many of which have strong sentimental value -- and your management of realistic expectations of what can be accomplished with a particular piece -- is refreshing and actually calming in today's "quick fix/faceless transaction" business environment. We, the clients, support YOU and recommend YOU by word of mouth because you support US;. You breathe new life into items from bygone eras of our lives and the livers of others, and allow us to experience these items as they were in their day. Thank you again for a great experience and a great outcome (the latter of which I never doubted)! read more

My wife's leather coat was looking really beat. Faded, showing bad signs of wear and a couple small tears. But it's a wonderfully soft lamb's leather that fits and looks great on her. When I started looking for a replacement, they were all greater than $400. With no good local sources I started looking on line I found Dena at Great Leather. A few emails, (with pictures) and phone call later Dena quoted me and I sent her the coat. About 2.5 weeks later she called to say it was a little less than quoted but she was delighted with how it came out. I payed via Paypal, (secure) and Dena sent it back. Dena was delighted, I was ecstatic. It looks virtually brand new. Every ding and mark was repaired and the the color is a uniform dark shade of black. It looks so good, I'm wrapping it up for Christmas! Is this a local review? 1200 miles away but with UPS, I never had to leave my house. Pretty local to me. read more

Dena did an excellent job reconditioning my leather flight jacket. It went to her old and faded came back brand new. Getting ready to send her another leather jacket. Very courteous and professional. read more

I was really happy that Dena was able to restore my old, beloved leather coat so nicely. I was on the verge of getting rid of it because the color had worn off so badly and the cuffs were really frayed - this thing was a rag. She re-dyed it to a shiny black and carefully repaired the cuffs with banding, and now I feel like I have a brand-new coat. For a tremendous amount of work it was quite affordable, and the entire transaction was very smooth and professional. I would happily recommend Great Leather to anyone ready to give up on a favorite leather jacket or coat. read more