OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino At center, Mad Hatters and More owner Allen Steinberg shakes hands with Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas at the store’s ribbon cutting recently. They are surrounded by Mad Hatter staff and Dunkirk’s Director of Planning and Development Rebecca Yanus (far right).

A sports fan will go crazy over more than just hats at Mad Hatters and More that is now open at 253 Lake Shore Drive E. in Dunkirk.

Allen Steinberg has been in the sports/hat shop business for around 30 years and has owned other “Mad Hatter” stores in tourist areas around the country before bringing the brand to Dunkirk in the former Yellow Goose building.

“We don’t have strictly local teams and what I mean by that is it’s not just Bills, Sabres and Yankees; we have most of leagues. We can offer the merchandise at close-out pricing, but when it’s gone it’s gone. However, we get new stuff in all the time,” he said. Items include jerseys, hooded sweatshirts, caps, hats, T-shirts 2 for $15, soccer balls for $5 and a wide variety of leggings. Products will be rotated seasonally, so now there are winter hats, coats, socks and gloves.

City officials were on hand recently to congratulate Steinberg and his staff and cut the ribbon for the store’s official opening. “Small business development is going to spur more development and even bigger development within the city,” Mayor Willie Rosas said. “Mr. Steinberg has a good relationship with the city and we are grateful to have him investing here.”

The store will be open seven days a week for the holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. “This is great for the community. I think it’s outside the box, especially being on Lake Shore Drive. I wish them will and congratulate Al and his staff,” Second Ward Councilman Marty Bamonto said.

Dunkirk’s Director of Planning and Development Rebecca Yanus, who donned a Sabres shirt, added, “This is great for small businesses throughout the city. It’s a bottom-up approach that is a great opportunity to attract more people to the city. We are glad to have them open.” Steinberg, owner of ZTS Development LLC, also owns Rookie’s on the Lake, Rosie’s Red Hots, the Kettle & Keg, the Carriage House property and the Stockton Grill in Stockton, as well as other local properties. Kettle & Keg, which is right next door to Mad Hatters and More is expected to open in January.