Waterloo Records moving to new location in the spring

AUSTIN, Texas - Waterloo Records announced they will be moving from Lamar and 6th to a new location five blocks north to 1105 North Lamar Blvd. 

This comes after a five-year search. The current location was bought out. 

"Endeavor Real Estate bought this building five years ago with the intention of demolishing it to go vertical," John T. Kunz, minority partner of Waterloo Records, said. 

The store has been at its current location for 35 of its 42 years. Kunz partnered with Louis Karp when the store opened in 1982.

"The aim from both of us was always to make Waterloo Records and Video the music and film town square gathering place," he said.

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Patrons say they've accomplished that. 

"I come here way too often. This is the place I come to when I just need to get out and look for new movies or music. A little pick-me-up for the day," Justin Pomerville, who was at the store Thursday, said. "You learn so much about people and different kinds of music that they're into, and you always learn something new." 

The new location also means new co-owners. Kunz will be a minority partner and pass the torch to Caren Kelleher, founder and CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, and Trey Watson of Armadillo Records.

Kunz is glad they don't have to close, and they'll still be locally owned. "This is my kid and I want this kid to live on forever and have a great life," he said.

Many are glad Waterloo Records can stick around. 

"Thank goodness," Pomerville said.

"Housing and business rental prices have exploded in this town and that has caused some places to unfortunately have to close, go away or whatever and then throw Covid in. It was beyond belief, but we survived all of that and we emerge stronger," Kunz said. "We're going to be adding all sorts of other new surprises to the new location, and that's to be announced in the coming weeks," Kunz said. "Waterloo is not going anywhere. It's just getting bigger and it's staying relatively the same neighborhood. There's going to be new energy and innovation from new partners. It's just a great win-win-win story for the new year."

The move will happen sometime in the spring.