Vintage Shop Brings Sports 'M.A.D.ness' to High Street

Charles Orcutt is not just a sports fan. To call him even a sports fanatic would be a massive understatement.  

For this Belmont native and Westwood resident, sports is an element that transcends life. 

That is evident to any customer who walks into Orcutt's new business on High Street, The M.A.D. Hatter: A Unique Sports Experience, which held a grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Using the vacant office space once inhabited by , Orcutt has created a veritable sports museum that offers event the smallest sports fan a taste of history. 

"It's about telling stories and educating people who don't know," Orcutt said. "I can tell stories that no one else can. What I'm giving back is a chance to have something that no one else has, whether it's a snap back hat or a piece of history."

Snap back hats are just a fraction of the items Orcutt has for sale in the store. Vintage pennants, jerseys, jackets, shirts, posters, photographs, postcards, bumper stickers, game programs and even vintage tickets are there to be savored.

Where does he get it all? 

"It's like a trade secret," Orcutt said. "These are things from all of my travels, all over the world."

As for the store's name, Orcutt chose the famous Lewis Carroll character as the basis to reflect the bulk of the store's products: sports hats. An original sketch of the Mad Hatter will also be displayed on the store's main sign, which is currently in the design stages.  

But the name indicates more than just hats - M.A.D. is an acronym for a hidden slogan, one which customers can guess in an upcoming contest Orcutt plans to hold. 

With no cash register or computer (he plans to have both soon), Orcutt mans the front counter of the store with a lock box and accepts cash only at the moment. To help keep inventory for both him and to show customers what he has left in stock, Orcutt keeps track of all items on a giant white board.

But he'll be the first to admit that starting a new small business isn't exactly the easiest task.

"The reason I started right now is because jobs aren't pleftiful, and I've been hurting for the last three years," said Orcutt, who also runs his own temp business. "A small business can fial just like anything else. But they told me that 35 years ago in my other business. I'm barely alive, but I'm still alive. I had some good years, too, so you can't dwell on the bad stuff."

The M.A.D. Hatter is open from Tuesday through Friday 12 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to about 5 p.m.

But Orcutt said he's always willing to make an appointment for an interested customer to talk about a certain product he's selling. 

To learn more about The M.A.D. Hatter, contact Orcutt at 781-752-5730 or by email at charles@preferredtemps.com.