Austin icon Waterloo Records & Video has announced the final days of business at its longtime location on Sixth Street and Lamar Boulevard as it works towards its relocation several blocks north.

The details

Waterloo Records & Video will move from 600 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, to 1105 North Lamar Blvd., Austin in August, according to an announcement from the company on social media. The last day at the old location will be Aug. 24, with the new location opening Aug. 30.

In early 2024, Waterloo representatives told Community Impact that they were actively looking for a new space to relocate into after Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate Group purchased the 1-acre site home to not only Waterloo Records & Video but also Amy's Ice Cream, 24 Diner and more in late 2019.

The new location—previously Louis Shanks Furniture and later a Whole Foods' regional office—will offer more space for events, more parking, and proximity to downtown and nearby music venues, according to a news release.


In addition to the move, John Kunz will step down as owner and instead act as chair emeritus. Founder and CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl Caren Kelleher and Austin entrepreneur Trey Watson will take over ownership.

The new location will feature not only a large selection of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and Blu-Ray, but also:
  • In-house lacquer cutting—the first step in making a vinyl record, which artists and customers will now be able to watch from the store
  • A Dolby Atmos spatial audio mixing studio designed by Grammy-winning engineer Chad Franscoviak, which will be available to rent by mixing engineers
  • A new podcast studio, available to rent
  • A beer, wine and coffee bar with cafe-style seating
  • A new in-store stage built with flooring from the original Austin City Limits Studio 6A stage donated by KLRU
  • Live performances and tapings
Quote of note

“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,” Kunz said in a statement. “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!”

The background


Waterloo Records & Video first opened in 1982 off South Lamar. That year, Kunz became co-owners with founder Louis Karp, and later became the sole owner in 1987. It was in 1989 that the store relocated to its well-known spot off North Lamar.