The Daily O’Collegian

Happy Narwhal to close with a musical bang

Stillwater’s independent record store is closing its doors tonight after a final concert.

“We’re both graduating and moving on to different things,” said co-owner Michael Orr, a studio art senior. “We figured now would be the best time to shut it down.”

Happy Narwhal Records’ “Last Show Ever” will feature bands from Stillwater and Oklahoma City. Colourmusic, Mayola and The Ugly Suit will play at 8 p.m. at the store at 117 W. 7th Street.

Co-owners Max Kunisch and Orr opened Happy Narwhal records in January 2006 to boost musical diversity in Stillwater. They wrote a business plan and took out a loan to open the store.

“We were trying to enhance the musical culture of Stillwater,” said Kunisch, an entrepreneurship senior. “Everything around here is in the bars and only open to people who are 21 and older.”

Orr said they considered selling the store to another owner.

“We looked around,” Orr said. “We had a couple bites, but nobody really was dead set on it.”

During the 15 months of business, Happy Narwhal Records hosted shows for about 30 bands, including local acts and bands from Philadelphia, New York and Texas.

“In the past week alone, we’ve had tons of high school kids’ parents come in and thank us for giving their kids something to do. It really helped out the younger people,” Kunisch said.

Last summer, the store had a block party to liven the streets of Stillwater while school was out.

Happy Narwhal Records closed off the street for Kunek, Colourmusic, the Sherree Chamberlain Band, Star Death and the White Dwarves to perform. About 300 people attended the event.

Along with hosting concerts, the record store also contributed to charity.

In April, the store presented 13 bands to play a charity concert for the Humane Society of Stillwater, raising about $1,500.

“I think we accomplished a lot,” Orr said. “We wanted to have a small, little venue in here for concerts. We built up a lot of CDs and music.”

Mayola, a local indie rock band, received Happy Narwhal Records’ support.

“The Happy Narwhal has been a big part of us since we moved to Stillwater,” said Riley Jantzen, Mayola’s guitarist and vocalist. “We actually played our first show in Stillwater at the Narwhal.”

The store not only helped support local bands but also local businesses.

Teal Might, owner of the Teal Boutique, said Happy Narwhal Records provided music for his clothing store.

“They always gave me really good music to play in my store,” Might said. “It is the best music in town for shopping.”

Kunisch and Orr said they did not have future plans together to open another business.

Orr said he might consider opening another record store after he finishes graduate school.

“I’ll probably end up doing this again” Orr said. “I learned a lot doing it, and I really enjoyed the experience.”

The store’s last hours are from 10 a.m. until the end of the show. All merchandise is 70 percent off.

For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/happynarwhalrecords.