After more than 20 years away from the city, Edward Joy Lighting & Electric Supply Co. Inc., Syracuse, is again considering a Watertown location.

Gary M. Ingersoll, vice president of Edward Joy, said Friday that his wholesale and retail company is exploring opportunities in the area.

"We're taking another look to see if there's something viable for us," he said. "There are no definite plans."

Edward Joy opened a Watertown location in June 1985 and closed it less than a year later. The company was bought by the current owners in 1993. Four years later, Edward Joy flirted with buying Halley Electric Co. Inc., Ogdensburg, but could not work out a deal, Mr. Ingersoll said.

The company opened a new showroom in Syracuse in April and now has two locations there.

Edward Joy sells lighting and electrical supplies to contractors, who have been a growing presence in the Watertown area as Fort Drum and surrounding areas continue to grow. Its showrooms also feature retail lighting products.

As customer demand has risen, Mr. Ingersoll said, company officials began to wonder if it would be easier "if we were there and had a store there."

He said Edward Joy would need a good location, possibly off Interstate 81, which could be accessed easily by contractors. The company would need enough space for a lighting showroom for retail customers.

Mr. Ingersoll said the company could make a decision on a Watertown store "within the next six months, maybe sooner."