One night in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2017….
Joe Messina’s phone rang at 2:30 a.m. It was his buddy, Zac Smith.
Breathless, unable to sleep, his mind racing, Zac exclaimed, “I’ve got it!” “Got what?”
“Hockey gear! We’ll make things from hockey gear.”
Joe yawned. “Make what?”
Fast-forward break-out to 2024, and the two friends—both of whom have lived the sport of hockey 24/7 since they were boys—are preparing to launch the 17th collection from their Grand Rapids company named Second String Leather. And each of Second String’s one-of-a-kind wallets, key chains, watch bands, totes, bathroom bags and other leather accessories are made from repurposed hockey leather such as gloves, pads, and blockers.
Both Michigan natives, Zac and Joe ain’t kiddin’ when they
