MASSENA -- Tony’s Canvas & Leather will purchase equipment that will improve productivity and efficiency with a grant and loan package from the St. Lawrence County Local Development Corporation.

Owner Tony O’Geen will get a $13,860 grant and a $5,000 loan.

O’Geen started Tony’s Canvas & Leather in 2001 from his home at 50 Grove St. when he began repairing hockey equipment for local universities. Today Tony’s Canvas & Leather makes custom sports bags, leather saddle bags, and custom printed or embroidered business and sport apparel for customers worldwide, and creates custom made boat tops, and reupholsters boat and vehicle seats. The shop can create signage for everything from boats and cars to business banners and stickers. Repair work is still a large portion of the business, mostly from the repair and re-palming of hockey, lacrosse, and baseball gloves. They can repair shoes, purses, or anything made from canvas or leather.

Tony’s Canvas & Leather’s reputation has grown in large measure because of their customer service. Unlike larger competitors, they can also fulfill other product and apparel needs such as sweatshirts, hats and jackets, saving teams the hassle of multiple vendors. They provide a warranty on all sports bags, and low cost repair service after the warranty expires – a service not typical of larger companies.

O’Geen expressed gratitude to Leigh Rodriguez of SLCLDC, Michelle Collins of the SBCD, Aurora O’Geen, and Ruby Sprowls, CEO of the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative for their help with his business.

For more information call O’Geen at 842-6443 or visit www.tonyscanvas.com.