If you’ve lived in Austin for a long time, you’ve probably heard of Waterloo Records.

The record store, which has been located at the bustling intersection of 6th Street and Lamar Boulevard for more than 35 years, is considered an Austin landmark and institution treasured by music fans all over Central Texas and beyond.

In late December, longtime Waterloo Records customers were surprised by the news that the store would be moving to a new location and two new people would be taking over ownership and operation. The new location will also be on Lamar Boulevard and is just a mile north of the current location. However, it will be a significant change for longtime Waterloo customers who will miss a place that has been a haven for music fans for decades.

John Kunz, who has owned and operated Waterloo for 42 years, has built a community both inside the store and among his customers. Local and big-name artists are invited to events at the store such as live performances and record signings when they release new albums. The store brings a warm and inviting atmosphere, creating an unforgettable experience. Because of the history behind it, it makes it one of the most distinctive parts of Austin.

Kunz, who has decided to sell the business to Caren Kelleher and Trey Watson, is in the process of ending his time managing Waterloo. Store employees have already started the process of packing up merchandise ahead of the move that is expected to happen this spring. He shared a few of his favorite memories of live performances that have happened during his years at Waterloo.

“Well, I would have to say, since I’m such a big fan of the number of bands, that it would probably be when they were in the store performing live on our stage,” he said. “I’m gonna say four different people: Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Patti Smith,  Richie Havens, and Norah Jones.”

Waterloo has stayed true to their customers and employees about how often music evolves in the industry; They will always carry everything from classic rock to hip-hop and will even do special orders for hard-to-find albums.

Yearbook teacher Sean Claes said Waterloo Records has been a special place in Austin for him and many others.

“As a record store, it holds many of the local and area and hard-to-find releases that the chains won’t have,” Claes said. “As a social hub, it has hosted some of the more memorable CD release parties and meet and greets I’ve attended. In the early 2000s, I would catch everyone from Vallejo to Edwin McCain to Ben Kweller to Bob Schneider at an in-store and get the chance to meet them and shake their hand and have a moment.”

The history behind Waterloo Records

Louis Karp originally opened the doors to Waterloo Records on April 1, 1982, at a small store on South Lamar. Kunz, who had recently quit his job, heard about the new record shop from a friend and soon became acquainted with Karp, helping him at this new record store. This eventually led him to become a partner in the company later that October, the same year it opened. After five years of partnership, Karp eventually departed ways from Waterloo and pursued a different career path, leaving Kunz as the owner of Waterloo Records.

This won’t be the first time they’ve moved, in 1989, they moved from their South Lamar location to the current location at 600 N. Lamar.  The new location, which will be five blocks down from the current location, will mark the second move for the store. This current location is very special to many people because not only has it been open in the same spot for the past 36 years, but many people have visited this location since it has been there.

English teacher Greg Hall said he performed at Waterloo in the 1990s. Hall said he enjoyed performing at Waterloo because it was on such a small compact stage that made the performance full of energy and life.

“I like performing in places where the people who were there were right there in front of you,”  Hall said. “It was very, like, intimate everybody was right there, plus, like, people were coming in off the street, and they could see what band was playing there. And we were loud, and I was like, a bunch of loud bands playing there. So it was really nice to kind of shake the windows, and people would like, look and see.”

Kunz said he is happy that he has a plan to keep Waterloo Records open after he plans to step back from managing the store.

“Well, I think it’s fabulous because I am gonna be 74 in a couple of months, so I wasn’t looking to move the store myself and then sign a five or ten-year lease somewhere,” he said. “So fortunately, we found a really good place because we’ve known for five years that we were gonna have to move out of here and I’ve been looking for five years. I hadn’t found an acceptable place until just recently, and coincidentally there was a couple of great music industry associates of mine that wanted to become owners of Waterloo Records with me so that’s that’s just fabulous. There’s no other way around it. Otherwise, the alternative would’ve been something that I really felt was the last thing in the world I wanted to do, but that would’ve been to have a retirement and go out of business sale.”

With so many places shifting towards online shopping, stores like Waterloo Records keep the physical side of music alive. Whether you collect vinyl or you are just looking for something cool to listen to, Waterloo Records is worth checking out. Waterloo is one of the many reasons why Austin calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World.”

Waterloo Memories

Akins students said they too value Waterloo’s role in shaping the local music scene. Senior Gabriel Walker shared a favorite memory of going to Waterloo Records at the current location. Walker said he got to meet a famous Austin-area musician there when he was just a young boy.

“Going to see my grandpa play there with Terri Hendrix at four years old and meeting Terri after,” he said. Now I’m a friend of Terri’s so that was a pretty amazing memory I have.”

Kunz released a statement along with the public announcement of the move and change in ownership, sharing his appreciation for the support he has had to make his dreams a reality.

“My decades-long hope, dream, and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Records & Video to live on forever, continuing to promote Austin’s vibrant music culture and community,” he said. “Now with this transition, all of my boxes are checked: a new larger home, just five blocks away; Caren and Trey buy in as my new, talented, local music industry partners; all of my team are retained and they will gain the opportunity for store ownership; all of the Waterloo Records hallmarks and traditions continue on, including innovation; and now as a minority partner and not sole proprietor, I get to work less, and play more. So thank you Austin!”