AUSTIN - Waterloo Records and Video is one example of everything that's good about small business in Austin.
The store has been selling records in Downtown Austin for 35 years and is one of the most successful record stores in Austin. Owner John Kunz said that he owes the success of his business to the community it serves.
“Austin has always been a very supportive and boot strapping sorta place," Kunz said. "All the indie businesses just really realized that we'd be a stronger voice together than we are separately.”
Kunz is a founding member of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, an organization that supports local business in Austin. For 15 years, the organization has helped to bring more exposure to local shops like Waterloo as a way to keep shoppers buying locally. A study done by the organization says that around 40% of local business revenue goes back into the community compared to only 13% from big businesses.
Small Business Saturday adds on to the exposure these businesses get yearly. Kunz said that the holiday along with Black Friday make for the busiest days of the year with lines out the door and down the sidewalk. But Kunz wouldn't want it any other way.
"It's nice having your hobby be your job," he said. "If someone puts in the time and truly loves what their doing i think they can find a way to make it work."
Waterloo Records is finishing their holiday weekend with a concert from Austin artist and guitarist Eric Johnson right inside their store.