After years of service to the area, the Ski Station, 224 E. College Ave., is parting ways with downtown State College.

The skiing and outdoor supplies retailer has finalized plans to move into vacant space alongside Weis Market, 110 Rolling Ridge Dr., in the Hills Plaza Shopping Center, owner George Powell said.

Grand opening of the store at its new venue is slated for early May, he said.

A lack of downtown parking spaces, combined with patronage that has been "falling steadily" over the last few months, were among the factors that led to the outlet's relocation, Powell said.

"We want it to be easy for shoppers to come," he said. "We'll get people coming to buy in a much more relaxed atmosphere . . . with easier access to it."

Among the improvements Powell anticipates are an increase in property size from the shop's current 3,000-square-foot area to a 6,000-square-foot space, along with an abundance of parking courtesy of the shopping center. The shop will also be situated entirely on one level.

The lull in sales during summer months -- when the majority of Penn State students are away on summer break -- was seen as an additional reason to reposition, Powell said.

"The population that lives here year-round doesn't venture downtown all that much," he said. "When you come downtown, there's not a lot left for the normal community; it's more for the students."

He said the new location would allow the business to be geared more towards year-round State College residents who comprise a major portion of "big purchases," such as skies and bicycles. Meanwhile, students generally buy smaller scale items such as sunglasses, hats and gloves, Powell said.

He added the walking traffic generated by the plaza -- with businesses such as Mike's Video and McDonald's located within -- was also attractive.

Geoff Brugler, owner of Appalachian Ski and Outdoors, 123 S. Allen St., said he expects to collect some of the downtown commerce left behind by the Ski Station's move.

"I'm sure it'll help us some," he said. "I would think people that shop downtown, we may gain some more of that business.

"I think it's a good move for them with a consolidated location," he added.

The relocation illustrates the fact that smaller, community-oriented stores are finding it increasingly difficult to vie with nationwide retail chains, Neighborhood Improvement District Director Teresa Sparacino said.

"Market analysis showed they (downtown shops) can't compete with a Wal-Mart or Target," she said. "They buy in such mass quantity, and it's just hard to compete."

Powell does not know what business will replace his downtown store. Sparacino does not see a trend of mass exodus of businesses from the downtown area arising because of the strong presence of specialty shops and restaurants.

"You have more going for you downtown than in the outlying areas," she said.