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Students at Sam Houston State University now have a place to lounge, socialize and do some late night studying with the opening of Gundys, the first hookah lounge in Huntsville, on Wednesday.
The lounge is the brainchild of 2011 Mass Communication graduate Taylor Gunderson and a group of his friends as a way to give back to the college community in town.
[Gundys] isnt about the money and it never was, Gunderson said. Its about giving students a place to be free, to be themselves and a place to just get on the internet, play some games and just socialize.
In addition to being a hookah lounge, Gundys also serves a wide variety of coffees and teas at affordable prices for students with a comfortable atmosphere, music playing in the background and a small area for live music. Additionally, students can study or browse the internet with the free internet connections available.
In Sept. 2012, a friend of Gundersons proposed the idea of opening a hookah bar in Huntsville. Although Gunderson works a regular job as a sound producer for traveling bands, he agreed to the idea and began scouting different locations for the ideal environment for college students.
Our biggest demographic are people from the dorms because theyre too young to go to the clubs and if they do, they have to pay ten dollars to get in, Gunderson said. Gundys will never charge a cover.We also made sure our products are the cheapest in Huntsville, even compared to campus.
Nestled across from Raven Village dorm building, next to Potato Shack, Gundys appears to be small on the outside but upon walking in, the music and low-lighting take over to provide a relaxing environment for students. The brick walls are decorated with old posters and pictures of movies and rock bands. Completing the dcor and unique to Gundys, is the Wall of Confessions where customers can write whatever they want.
Several students were excited to see something new to Huntsville, especially a business specifically geared toward them and open late until 1 a.m. every day.
I think Huntsville needed it, sophomore kinesiology major Jarriet Jensen said. Before I would just go hang out at the Kat Klub on campus but even that isnt much. The environment here is real chill and Ill definitely be regular.
According to freshman biology major Cory Broady, the environment in combination with the late night hours, are a genius idea for a college town.
[Hookah, coffee and tea] are very popular things for college students, said. This is the first spot besides the LSC to really hang out and the hours are perfect for us.
Gunderson said the official Grand Opening of Gundys will be sometime in early May, but he is excited for what the future has in store for his business and the students of SHSU.
Our ultimate goal is to expand next door and build an outside area for Huntsville because we believe in this place, we believe in the community and we believe in the students that we can expand it not for our benefit but for Huntsvilles benefit.
For more information, follow Gundys on Facebook.