After running a sporting goods store in Rochester for nine and a half years, Ron vonBrethorst wanted to get closer to the atmosphere he grew up in.

vonBrethorst, who is originally from Hibbing, Minnesota, will officially open Sports Surplus Center and Auctions on the boardwalk across the street from B&J Bar and Grill in Austin on Aug. 1.

“I’ve been a small town country guy all of my life,” vonBrethorst said. “Getting back to a small town is like getting back to my roots. This is what I’m comfortable with.”

Dave Klingfus of Austin, who was a long-time customer of vonBrethorst’s store in Rochester, gave him the idea of opening a store in Austin and Klingfus will now work at Sports Surplus Center and Auctions.

The store will offer new and used sports equipment for hockey, football, baseball, disc golf, skiing, skating and weightlifting. It will also have yard games, some memorabilia jerseys and Packer cheer gear available.

“It’s like a big town sporting good store all compressed into a smaller space,” vonBrethorst said.

Besides offering sporting goods, the store will offer trade-ins and they it will buy used sporting goods. It will also help customers auction off items.

While the store will be open more over the winter, it is currently set to be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.