Jeff Metz's new sports apparel store, Sports Connection, opened May 24 in St. Ignace. The new business offers a variety of memorabilia and apparel from college, minor, and professional sports teams, and skateboards.

Self-described as "just your regular kind of sports fan," Jeff Metz is excited about providing a place that can cater to the community's love of sports. He opened Sports Connection in St. Ignace May 24 with a line of licensed sports apparel and accessories.

"I'm seeing a lot of repeat customers, and a lot of them are bringing their friends, so it's going well," he said of the weeksold business.

A former advertising representative for The St. Ignace News, Mr. Metz is practicing what he has been preaching by providing area sports fans with the pro sports clothing items they want. He said he will have convenient store hours and plans to be open year-around.

"I've always wanted to own my business," he said.

From that high school basketball throw-back jersey of Michael Jordan's to the Detroit Red Wings clock, sports fans can brows close to home.

Sports Connection is stocked with apparel, memorabilia, and decoration and gift items for men, women, and children, and a complete line of skateboards and skimboards. But Mr. Metz also wants Sports Connection to be a place for conversation, where people can stay awhile, chat with others, and catch that last-minute shot in the game on the television he has mounted on the wall.

Sports Connection is at 274 South State Street, next to the Village Inn restaurant. During the summer, it is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, and it is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.

Mr. Metz said the later open hours have been great for him and his customers.

"I'm trying to accommodate people's work schedules," he said. "I know people are busy during the days. I've been seeing a lot them in the after-hours."

Originally from New Jersey, and a U.S. Army infantry veteran, Mr. Metz, with his wife, Amy, moved to St. Ignace in 1996, when Mrs. Metz was hired to teach third grade at St. Ignace Elementary School. The couple met during college in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Metz is originally from New Lothrop, Michigan.

The couple have three children, Trevor, 11, Sierra, 6, and Andy, 5.