Just Sports & Tennis is moving from 215 N. Fourth Ave. to the former Blue Sky Outfitters location, 717 Second Ave., near the Rome-Floyd YMCA.

Partner Powell Fulton said that the primary reason for the move is to give the company better visibility. Just Sports & Tennis was located at 296 W. Third St., but that building was torn down to make way for a possible hotel at that location.

Fulton and Jay Stephenson acquired the business from Steve Grissett in late December 2012.

“We need people who don’t know we’re here to see us,” Fulton said. “The building has good history behind it because Blue Sky had a really good following. We’re not Blue Sky, but we’re a niche business too.”

The move may actually decrease the showroom square footage somewhat, but Fulton said the approximately 2,300 square feet on the first floor of the new building would provide the business with plenty of room.

Fulton said that when the new location opens during the first week of March, Just Sports & Tennis will have a new state-of-the-art racquet-stringing machine.

“I don’t think that a lot of people know that we string,” Fulton said. “These guys string, and they do a great job.”

Fulton said the new owners plan to increase the selection of running shoes and add more accessory items in a bid to keep local athletes from having to travel outside of the Rome area.

Blue Sky opened a new store on Broad Street last year and eventually closed the Second Avenue location. The back of the new store faces Bridgepoint Plaza, where First Friday concerts take place.