Meet Me At Magnolia

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines - their show, their products, and their whole life approach.  I love the example they set and the good they put out into the world. Not to mention the food and the shopping!  I visit the Silos just about any chance I get (including my bachelorette weekend), and on my last trip, I had the chance to explore some of their new additions.

If you are a fan of Fixer Upper and the Gaines,’ or just curious what all the hype is about, take a little trip and see. Here are a few sights not to miss, if you have the opportunity to head to Waco:

The Silos

Located just off the highway in downtown Waco, Magnolia Market at the Silos offers an expansive complex that includes a home goods store, garden shop, sweet bakery, and beautiful lawn surrounded by food trucks for visitors to enjoy.  It’s hard to decide where to start...but I do recommend starting early as lines form quickly!  Staff are friendly and work hard to keep lines moving so you can enjoy your visit, but plan for a slower pace if you arrive mid-day, especially on a Saturday.

While you’re there, promise me you’ll stop by the bakery for a cupcake and Alabama Sweet Tea Company’s food truck to get you a sweet tea! (my personal favorite - The Mason Dixon - half sweet tea, half unsweetened, and you get to take home a souvenir mason jar!  As for the cupcakes...I still haven’t decided which is my favorite, but the Silobration and Lavender cupcakes are at the top of the list...guess, I’ll just have to keep going back to decide!)

Once you’ve shopped the market, snacked on delectable food truck fare and soaked in the sun, don’t forget to check out Magnolia Press coffee shop and (coming soon!!) Jimmy Don’s new store, all within easy walking distance of The Silos (just down Webster street, behind Magnolia’s Market building). And keep checking Magnolia’s website for new developments, as they’ve just announced an expansion to their space, including six new shops and a baseball field!

Shopping

Before heading home, if you have time, explore some of the other great shopping in town, and don’t forget to grab lunch at Magnolia Table while you’re there!  Some fun shopping spots in Waco worth checking out include:

• The Findery - located in a historic warehouse just passed Magnolia Press on Webster Street, it offers patrons the opportunity to browse home decor, as well as clothing and jewelry.
• Spice Village- located about an 8 minute walk from The Silos and home to more than 60 different shops, Spice Village offers clothing and accessories, as well as Waco inspired souvenirs.
• Little Shop on Bosque - Playing tourist, I had to stop in at ‘the orignal Magnolia Market’, and I was delighted to find the store now sells Magnoliat items at a discount! And if you purchased something at Magnolia Market earlier in the day, you may be eligible for further discounts still.  Be still my shoppers’ heart!
• Harp Design Co. - One of my husband’s favorite parts of our trip was a stop by Clint’s store, Harp Design Co. where he admired beautiful handcrafted tables (and I picked up some Easter decor!)
• Shops on LaSalle - if you’re looking for unusual or salvage finds, check out The Junky Monkey, LaSalle Shoppes and Riverside Relics, all located along La Salle Avenue.

Dining:

Magnolia Table

On our most recent trip, I was excited to check out Magnolia Table for lunch, and I wasn’t disappointed (although, here again, be prepared for long lines).  The chicken salad sandwich is fresh and delicious, and I adored the diner-style coffee mugs declaring the ‘good ol’ days are yet to come.”  The kitchen is open from 6 am until 3 pm everyday except Sunday.  The wait list, however, may close earlier in the day to ensure they can seat and serve everyone on the list before then, so I’d recommend you check out the website for live wait times and arrive early, if you can.  You can make reservations Monday - Thursday, and you can add your name to the waitlist without having everyone in your party there, although they will need to arrive within 15 minutes of you being seated.

Cafe Homestead

Situated in a craft and farming community outside Waco, Cafe Homestead offers organic, artisanal fare using local ingredients.  I recommend calling one hour ahead to get on their wait list and exploring the craft village while you wait to be seated.

Accommodations:

There are several charming places to stay in Waco, including 3 Magnolia properties: The Carriage House, Hillcrest Estates, and Magnolia House.  Airbnb has several properties in the area, including properties featured on Fixer Upper like the “Bachelor Pad,” “Americana,” “Shotgun” and “German Schmear”. and “Harp” Houses.  A couple other Airbnb favorites include Morrow House and Oak House.

So much to see and do!  Can’t wait to hear about your experiences!  What new favorite spot did you find?

XOXO,

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