By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

And to think that the first time Alan Marchio came to the Kinetic Systems bicycle shop offering to fix the business’ roof free of charge, he was literally laughed out of the building.
It was the second time he made progress in wanting to give back to the local community and early last week, the job was complete with Marchio’s Olax Master Roofing doing the honors.
“(Co-owner) Anton (Rozhanskiy) were giving out ideas on what we could do for a project, and we wanted to do something with Clarkston,” Marchio said. “Him and I grew up here, our business is based here, and we thought downtown would be a great area to look at. We noticed the bike shop and agreed that was going to be our place.”
Rozhanskiy and Marchio then visited the shop and spoke to co-owner Jeff Noftz, who “laughed and said we could leave now,” according to Marchio, adding that he “eventually came around” and put them in touch with co-owner Louise Kasl.

Due to the pandemic, the bike shop took a hit financially, adding to the woes that included a deteriorating roof at the building located at 60 South Main.
“It couldn’t have been better timing; we needed a new roof badly,” Kasl said. “Business has been really tough. Retail has changed a lot with more online purchasing being pushed by the manufacturers, so after tumbling with the pandemic, it’s still not like it was, but with these guys, the timing could not have been better.”
The project, sponsored in part by ABC Supply Co. Inc., and GAF, began June 24 and wrapped up only a handful of days later. Marchio said it gives his company exposure while helping to keep another one going.
Originally from Ukraine, Rozhanskiy has seen what has been happening back home (he moved to Clarkston when he was 12, nearly 30 years ago), and Olax has been a supporter of the relief efforts in Ukraine.
Overall, Kasl could not be happier.
“The community has just been wonderful,” she said. “People come in all the time, and even during the pandemic, and said they were happy we were still here.
“And here we are, people are still supporting us.”

TOP PHOTO: From left, Anton Rozhanskiy, Louise Kasl, and Alan Marchio pose in front of the famous sign at the front of the Kinetic Systems bike store at 60 S. Main Street.