Austin’s Waterloo Records Expanding With New Ownership

After 42 years, beloved Austin, Tx., record store Waterloo Records is expanding to a larger space in tandem with a change in ownership. Founder John Kunz is passing the tourch to Gold Rush Vinyl founder/CEO Caren Kelleher and local entrepreneur Trey Watson, who are moving Waterloo a half mile down Lamar Street at some point this spring.

The new location will provide more space for events such as in-store performances and will double the footprint of the original 6,400-square foot Waterloo. The building at 1105 North Lamar was previously both a furniture store and a Whole Foods regional office.

Founded in Austin by Kelleher in 2018, Gold Rush Vinyl was named as one of Fast Company‘s Most Innovative Companies of 2020 and is now the only pressing plant charged with creating 24-karat gold and platinum records for sales milestones certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Watson is the CEO of local label Armadillo Records as well as the president of photo archive company Globe Entertainment & Media Corp. and a partner/executive producer at documentary film studio 153 Studio Group.

“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 says. “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!”

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