'Raven Fever' Catching In Rossville

The holidays have passed and many retail outlets have long since cut their hours.

But thanks to a deep playoff run by the Baltimore Ravens, one Rossville shop has extended its.

Raven Fever, a team merchandise outlet located at 8767 Philadelphia Road, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until its namesake team's playoff run ends.

"This only comes around every 10 or so years so we try to take advantage of it. The Ravens are working hard so we want to too at this time," said shop owner Dan "The T-Shirt Man" McClure. "This is the final end to this wonderful season, let's go all the way."

McClure, who also operates Baltimore-based East Coast Sportswear, said 24-hour service is a niche that business has occupied for the last 23 years.

"Frankly we have this huge heated tent with electric and TV we figured hey, lets try to let everyone know it’s a special niche and lets stay open 24 hours," McClure said.

Even on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Raven Fever was doing brisk business; inside the tent in Ross Village Shopping Center, customers browse items from t-shirts and jerseys to hand-carved Ravens-themed duck decoys produced by an artisan and friend of McClure's in his hometown of Havre de Gace.

What's really flying off the shelves though? Obviously merchandise related to retiring Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

"A lot of the Ray Lewis shirts are hot, the number 52 'Heart of Baltimore' shirt is hot right now," McClure said.

To see the shirt McClure is talking about click through the photo gallery attached to this article.

The 24/7 operation will continue to be open through the Sunday night playoff game, and thanks to a flat-screen TV inside will be a place to watch the game.

"We have the game on live, come and join us please. Feel free to bring in food and drink," he said. "Come see us Thursday night, Friday night, all weekend. It’s gonna be food, drink, music. Some cheerleaders might come by. You might see some crazy fan people, people dressed up. It’s a big party."

McClure's prediction for the AFC Championship showdown re-match with the New England Patriots? His outlook is predictably positive.

"42-17 Baltimore. Forget this close game stuff, we're going to kill them," he said.

"We feel blessed for this whole opportunity. It's a blessing and we are going to take advantage of it. I have four kids with one on the way. I'm happy to work. We need the work, Baltimore needs the work and we want to go all the way to the Super Bowl."