Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro met with Karen Kotansky to present her with a proclamation remembering her brother Gerald “Red” Owens, who also owned and operated OK Bike Shop in the Village of Lancaster for 50 years.

Gerald “Red” Owens and Bill Kotansky opened the OK Bike Shop in the 1960s on Vanderberg Avenue.  The only bike repair store in town, the shop became a place for neighborhood children to stop by and grab a candy bar as well as a meeting place for local residents. Gerald also refurbished unclaimed bikes from the Lancaster Police Department’s holding area and donated them to local children. The bike shop closed in 2019 and Gerald Owens passed away earlier this year at the age of 83.

Legislator Todaro said, “It was my pleasure to present a proclamation to Karen remembering Gerald and recognizing the OK bike shop on 50 successful years in business. Gerald will always be remembered for his kindness and the friendly, welcoming neighborhood atmosphere he created as soon as they opened their doors. Gerald and the bike shop will surely be missed, but the Lancaster community is forever grateful for the memories they created. Special thank you to Karen for accepting the proclamation and taking the time to talk about what an incredible person her brother was.”

A copy of the proclamation can be viewed here.