Photo Credit: Caryn Noel Photography (Trey Watson, John Kunz and Caren Kelleher)
Austin’s Waterloo Records & Video has announced new ownership and a move from its current location after 42 years. The record store will move from 600 North Lamar to 1105 North Lamar in the Spring.
Long-time owner John Kunz is passing the torch to Caren Kelleher and Trey Watson. The move to 1105 North Lamar offers more space for events, improved parking, and a convenient proximity to downtown and nearby music venues in Austin. Kelleher and Watson are determined to honor and carry on the legacy of Waterloo Records passed on to them by Kunz.
“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,” says John Kunz. “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. Thank you Austin!”
The new location will allow Waterloo to expand its current 6,400 sq. ft. store by 50%, but also increase its ability to host in-store performances and events with a larger stage. This continues Waterloo Records’ tradition of intimate artist-fan experiences. The new space makes it easy for artists to visit before their local shows as it is only five blocks away from the old location.
Caren Kelleher is the Founder & CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, which pressed its first record in March 2018. Since opening, Gold Rush Vinyl has pressed records for thousands of musicians and record labels to help answer the $1 billion demand for new vinyl records.
Trey Watson is an Austin entrepreneur with multiple businesses and endeavors under his purview. He is the CEO of Armadillo Records, an Austin-based record label founded in 1969. Watson is also President of Globe Entertainment & Media Corp, which owners a number of historic photography archives totalling over 20 million images covering film, music, sports, and history.
The original Waterloo Records & Video location, located on South Lamar, opened its doors on April 1, 1982, the same year that John Kunz became co-owners with founder Louis Karp. In its first year of business, Waterloo won the Austin Chronicle’s “Best Record Store” award and so began its journey to become an Austin institution. In 1985, Waterloo expanded its offerings by adding video partners and VHS video rentals.
In 1987, Kunz became the sole owner of Waterloo Records when Karp sold him his 50% share of the company to start his own hospital video rental stores and promote concerts, before launching his decades long career in top tier management at Whole Foods. Kunz and Karp remain close friends even to this day.