By Jason Schoonover, Austin Daily Herald

AUSTIN — A southern Minnesota business on the verge of expanding to Austin is looking to bring more than just sales to the community.

Kevin Guy plans to finish a deal next month to open Everything Hobby on Fourth Avenue Northeast near the Paramount Theatre. He owns the Everything Hobby at 1206 Seventh St. NW in Rochester’s Northgate Center, and the Austin store could open as soon as Oct. 1.

“I think Austin has all kinds of potential,” he said.

Guy was in town Wednesday for a meeting to discuss Austin’s Downtown Master Plan, and he thinks his business fits perfectly. Fourth Avenue would put the business in what city leaders envision as the Cultural Corridor of downtown.

The business focuses on hobby items, especially remote-controlled cars, airplanes, helicopters, trains and more. The store also sells parts and teaches people to work on and repair the items.

But Guy is also interested in using hobbies for learning through Fuel My Brain, a program he started that’s dedicated to sparking interest in science and engineering through interactive exhibits and workshops.

With what he’s seen in Austin — from I.J. Holton Intermediate School’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) focus to Austin High School recently installing solar panels — Guy thinks the community will be receptive to his programs and classes.

“I just think you guys are really onto some neat stuff over there,” he said. “I think it’s going to be really good for all of us.”

But that program is only one way Guy is aiming to be involved in the community.