Randy Miller is happy to finally have his garage back after two decades.

With smile of satisfaction, like a child after winning first prize at a science fair, Miller toured the new building of his auto body repair shop business, Collision Specialists Inc.

"It took 22 years to get here," Miller said with a look of disbelief on his face.

It wasn't that long ago that a young, fresh out of vocational school Miller decided to open his repair shop out of his double car garage in the southeast side of Austin.

Originally from Owatonna, Miller moved to Austin in the early 80s.

"The first five years, it was terrible. I didn't know anyone in town. It was difficult," Miller recalled of starting his business.

The business, which focuses on painting, frame straightening and some light mechanical outgrew its clientele so Miller took it upon himself to build a larger garage.

"I could not afford to pay anyone to build it for me," Miller said.

He moved the double car garage to the back of his house and built a 2,000-square foot building, which has been the site of his business for numerous years.

"I've been wanting to do this for a long time, and its taken a long time. I knew it was going to happen as long as I kept at it," Miller said.

Designed by Miller himself and the help of Mark Reynen, his business partner for the last 13 years, the 8,300-square foot new building houses state-of-the-art technology.

Two large paint booths are the "heart of the whole operation," Miller said.

The rooms, which work like ovens, are situated in between a smaller room with large furnace-like tubes with computers to mix paints. Together, the two rooms can potentially do up to 16 cars per day compared to three to four at the current location.

A new frame rack will also be install in the repair area where, a large expandable back wall can be moved if space becomes limited Miller pointed out. There will also be a lobby, room to make estimates,a

break room and two to three offices.

"This will keep guys very efficient," Miller said. Currently there are four full-time employees in the business, including Miller.

"I took them right out of vocational school. Trained them and taught them our ways of doing things," Miller said.

Reynen said he is excited about the new building because it will not only allow for better work, but it will also be better for the customers.

Though they have never complained about the site of the old shop, "It will be easier for everyone to have more space to work," Reynen said.

Todd Blood, also an employee who has been working for Miller for five years, agreed saying that it will definitely be a big change having more room to move around.

Construction on the new location north of Kmart east of U.S. 218, began in early October after waiting nearly three years for the property. Plans are to reach completion by mid-February, Miller said.

It will be different driving five miles to work, after having only to walk five feet to work for the last 22 years and it will be nice to go home for dinner, Miller confessed.

"It's pretty awesome to see it … pretty much built from the ground up," Miller said as he looked at the building driving from a distance.

"It is finally coming true. It will be good for the city, the town,."

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com