In era when all you hear about is the bad news for the music industry, namely stores that sell CDs, Waterloo Records proves there will be a future with smaller, specialized places. You could say they’re the Alamo Drafthouse of record stores. To me, these two places are synonymous through Roger Ebert’s point about how customer service and unique experiences are going to be key.
Sure, you go online, buy an MP3 on iTunes, Amazon and other sites, save some money yet it’s really simplicity or convenience those experiences provide. Waterloo makes patronage more exciting through in-store performances, autographs, imports (if something is only available in another nation, tough luck with legal downloads), rarities, impulse buying/random discoveries, related stuff (shirts, posters, books, magazines) and a great staff. The Internet has made many things better (communication) and introduced new concepts (social media) yet it will never replace relationships. If it could, there would be online bars and coffee shops.
Some may think what I do is a bit much. I completely agree, not everyone shares my musical interest but most people have something to be passionate about. I’m grateful to be in Austin and have a great place to support my hobby, not a dying chain.