Romeo’s Sporting Goods moving to Vestavia Hills

After 37 years, Romeo’s Sporting Goods is closing its store in Crestwood and moving to Vestavia Hills.

Owner Mary Romeo Young said after the shopping center in which the store was located — The Shoppes of Crestwood — experienced multiple ownership changes, with increases in rent each time, she decided it was time to move, especially as the current shopping center “needs some updating.”

Young said she didn’t know if she could afford Vestavia, but she found a space at Park South Plaza, next to Alabama Piano. A grand opening of the new store, located at 1425 Montgomery Highway, Suite 141, is scheduled for Dec. 9. The current store closed Nov. 16.

Young signed a 10-year lease in Vestavia, and while she’s losing 200 square feet, she’s excited for the new space, which will work better for the business’ needs. “I’m not moving again,” Young said. “This is it.”

The current store is separated into two separate spaces, making it hard to keep up with each customer, but Young said with the new store, it will all be in one space. “I’m just thrilled,” Young said. “Everybody has been coming to us for years.”

Young’s brother, Tony Romeo, started the business, originally selling hunting, fishing, baseball and softball gear. About 15 to 20 years ago, he decided to not sell guns anymore and moved into more team sports. For decades, Romeo’s Sporting Goods was responsible for doing screen print on area football team’s jerseys, and providing the rest of their equipment, as well.

Two years ago, Tony died, leaving the business to Young and his daughter. Young left her job in Tuscaloosa to work at the store, though she still lives in Tuscaloosa.

The store now focuses exclusively on baseball and softball equipment but sells everything that players and teams could possibly need, Young said. Young is working to get rid of the last remaining football inventory, she said.

Young said Vestavia is a “wonderful area,” and she’s excited to meet a longtime need in the city, already receiving a large amount of positive feedback on social media after the move was announced. “It’s unbelievable, really,” Young said.

The store is known mostly for its customer service, Young said, as well as performing services such as glove repair and re-gripping baseball bats.