February 08, 2010, 5:57PM
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The little town of New Hope may be the last place you'd expect to find a Major League Baseball stadium but, thanks to a local company, fans can experience a view from a "sky box."
Tara Graphics, a 12-employee company, recently purchased Sky Box Sport Scenes (SBSS), which produces MLB-licensed photomurals of Major League ballparks. The artwork is perfect for kids' bedrooms, dens and rec rooms.
"These are extremely popular," said Alissa Ramsay, Tara Graphics' product manager for SBSS. The photomurals are available in 4-by-6-foot and 8-by-12-foot sizes.
Tara Graphics had been producing the photomurals since 2004 for the former Massachusetts-based company. Ramsay said SBSS approached Tara Graphics about the deal and, effective Jan. 1, Tara became the owner.
Ramsay said since the company has been producing the photomurals for several years, it made sense for the deal. And, because of Tara Graphics' and SBSS's affiliation with Major League Baseball, there was no hesitation on MLB's part, either.
"MLB has been wonderful to work with," she said.
In an indirect way, Tara Graphics brought Major League Baseball to Madison County.
"This is an exciting addition to Madison County's resume of businesses located in North Alabama." Ramsay said, "MLB photomurals are a hot commodity and we are looking forward to growing the company, expanding product lines and continuing to contribute to our growing community."
Ramsay, who sold her company Average to Art before joining Tara Graphics last September, said this is the continuation of her business "dream."
"My dream was to own a business, and I did that for about six years," said the graduate of Ohio State University and self-professed "military brat." "Now, I'm in business development.
"I'm blessed."
The photomurals are distributed by sports merchandising and wallpaper retailers nationally, but not available locally - "for the time being," Ramsay said.
She said the company is looking for online retailers and there are also plans on adding two smaller sizes to the lineup.
"MLB approved us for peel-and-stick," Ramsay said. "We have two sizes for wallpaper and two (smaller sizes) for peel-and-stick.
"The consumer has spoken and we're meeting the need."
In the meantime, Ramsay will push the photomurals and enjoy the perks of her major league "dream."
"Their offices are on Park Avenue and I get to talk with people all over," she said.
"But the fun part is when someone tells me 'MLB is on the phone for you.' "
