By LEIGH C. MERRIFIELD
News & Journal Editor
When Shinnston residents John and Marie Marchio opened Dynamic Designs in early October of this past year, they said having their own business had been a vision of theirs. It was intended to be somewhat of a hobby … something they thought they would enjoy. Well, they ARE enjoying it, buta hobby is typically something you do at your leisure to relax! Dynamic Designs, however, has become a real occupation … full-time work … oftenrequiring evening hours!
Yes, they have become much busier than they expected to be, but that is perhaps due in part to the quality of their merchandise and the lengths they are willing to go to make personalizations extra special. After all, when they decided that their slogan would be “More than just a shirt”, they meant it!
In the eight months of Dynamic Designs’ existence, they have gone far beyond localsports and school apparel; they have designed attire well beyond the Harrison County lines! Add to that the many corporate business clients that have sought them out to design specialty jackets, hats, hoodies and polo performance wear for their employees. They were in demand prior to Christmas as well with glitzy holiday wear – not to mention individual requests for customers who have wanted specialty items. Their clientele just keeps growing!
Calls have been coming in since early Spring from Shinnston High School alumni who are thinking ahead to this summer’s 2016 Homecoming Reunion too. This event, which occurs every four years and welcomes “home” alumni from ALL SHS classes, is an extraordinary weekend when everyone is anxious to exhibit their Spartan spirit!
With John being a former Spartan (Class of ’66), he was happy to try to accommodate their wishes.
“Gauging from the interest that has already been shown, we have begun to work in advance to prepare various Spartan specialty items that we’ll have in stock,” John said. “And we’ll be happy to make what anyone might want, but it’s hard for us to estimate how many different sizes to have on hand and in what color – or, let’s say, who might prefer a t-shirt and who might prefer a polo, etc.We welcome walk-in traffic, but if someone wants something customized – particularly embroidery work – those items need to be ordered in advance and we’ll have them ready for pickup that weekend.”
In fact, some out-of-state alumni have already ordered items and they have been shipped to them!
Here is what will be available …. expect to see lots of orange, black and white! Hats will be stocked along with polo shirts (dri-fit performance or cotton), t-shirts, hoodies, jackets (full zip, quarter zip or pullovers) … there are many options! For heat pressed items, there will be Spartan heads in stock with any requested lettering done either in block letters or script. And, yes, ladies, if you like a little bling, you’ll certainly find that too! There will be plenty of items on display that weekend from which to choose.
Embroidered items, of course, take more time and will need to be ordered in advance. If ordered well in advance, they can be shipped to you – or – special orders will be available for pickup in the store during Homecoming Weekend.
Although Dynamic Designs is typically closed on Saturdays, the store will be open on Saturday, July 16th during Homecoming Weekend. They will also have extended evening hours on Thursday and Friday, July 14th& 15th.
Alumni returning for their alma mater’s reunion are always anxious to get reacquainted with one another and refresh old friendships. Chances are, you will find many classmates passing through the doors of Dynamic Designs – – – located at 221 Pike Street!
You can make phone inquiries about specialty apparel by contacting John or Marie at 304-592-5418 or e-mailing dynamicdesigns@frontier.com. Numerous items are posted on their Facebook page as well. Check out some of their custom Spartan apparel!
