Waco Business News

29/02/2024

Congrats to Cameron Morris of for opening a second location this week in Nashville! And look at the other Waco legend who just dropped by…

29/01/2024

R.I.P. Patricia Chisolm-Miller, McLennan County Commissioner of Precinct 2. The featured guest on Episode 57 of Downtown Depot in February 2019, she was the first woman and first African-American woman elected to the McLennan County Commissioners Court.

I remember Pat telling stories about moving to Waco from Brooklyn in the 5th grade and how “cool” it was to be in school with only other black kids. Later in life, once she better understood segregation and its impact, she pursued political science and a life of public service. Her civil rights activism with the Rev. Wilbert Austin helped make Waco a more equitable place.

My condolences to her family and friends, Precinct 2, and the entire Waco community. Click the link in bio to hear her Downtown Depot interview.

17/10/2023

Happy 20th anniversary ! This weekend is Magnolia’s annual homecoming event that features a vendor fair, events with Chip and Jo, live music, daytime activities, and more. Locals are welcome!

It’s easy to think of Magnolia as a “celebrity” company, but it’s fueled by hundreds of everyday Wacoans working to beautify our city and the world. Come Silobrate their collective impact with me this weekend!

22/09/2023

Time to support some of Waco’s best businesses again!

Marilyn's Gift Gallery
Boardwalk on Elm
Brotherwell Brewing
The Waco Jockey Club
Street Dog Cafe
Bridge Street Farmers Market
The Brazos Event Center
OTB Cyclery
TFNB Your Bank for Life

Elm Avenue completely opened to traffic this week for the first time since early 2019, after some $21 million in public infrastructure work along the corridor.

02/09/2023

Hear from Angel and Thanh of in this week’s episode of Downtown Depot! Thanh, who is from Vietnam, is an community leader in Waco. Stream Episode 157 on NPR, Apple Podcasts & Spotify 🔗 in bio

08/08/2023

On this day, in 1950, Harmon Dobson opened a food stand at 2609 Ayers Street in Corpus Christi where he charged $0.25 per burger. Word soon spread about Harmon’s hamburgers, with the most common refrain being, “What…a…burger!”

73 years later, Waco’s favorite Whataburger fan Ashley Thornton was invited to HQ in San Antonio to celebrate !

04/08/2023

This stencil on the side of is one of ’s top 5 public art pieces in Waco. Hear her interview today on “Downtown Depot” for more about the Central Texas art scene, highlighted by this weekend’s opening exhibit of Kermit Oliver scarves at !

Downtown Depot airs Fridays at 11:30am & 8pm on 103.3FM. If you miss it live, search for “Downtown Depot” wherever you get your podcasts!

24/01/2023

I love walking into a and seeing other entrepreneurs already there supporting it! Congrats Andreas on opening Thrst Coffee at 15th & Colcord and shoutout Devin for always being so generous with your time and wisdom 🤝

29/12/2022

This East Waco project is going to the TIF board! Broadway Place on Elm would include 1- and 2-bedroom apartments as well as retail spaces. The $8.2M development has been recommended $350k in TIF funding, according to Rhiannon Saegert of .

I interviewed project developer Caitland Rodgers in Episode 131 of Downtown Depot in July. Click the link in bio to hear our full conversation and learn how her concept has evolved!

16/12/2022

My featured guest on Downtown Depot this week is former Baylor and NFL quarterback Cody Carlson! Cody shares lessons learned from his playing career, his continuing work with connecting Baylor athletes with local businesses, and his vision for equitably developing the bustling Elm Avenue corridor of East Waco.

Listen live today at 11:30 on 103.3FM, Waco’s ! If you miss the first airing, catch the rerun at 8pm or search “Downtown Depot” on your favorite podcast app

08/10/2022

Run, don’t walk!!

03/09/2022

Waco’s sandwich

19/08/2022

I’ve been impressed with the City’s video series highlighting small businesses like Spin Connection. Thanks for sharing these stories!

07/08/2022

A lot happens in one week in Waco!

03/11/2021

Paris Rutherford is Principal of Catalyst Urban Development, the group City of Waco - Public Information engaged to create the Brazos River Promenade. In Episode 115 of Downtown Depot (which was recorded around Halloween, hence the costume 🐭) Paris shares his views on designing a successful community. He also casts his vision for future phases of the Promenade and Waco as a whole.

Tune into Downtown Depot on KWBU this Friday at 11:30 & 8 to listen! If you miss it live, search “Downtown Depot” on NPR One or Apple Podcasts afterward.

21/10/2021

Congrats to and on the well-deserved recognition! Both these winners spin out some of the state’s most unique BBQ while staying staying true to Central Texas roots.

Here’s a sample from and the team’s reviews:

“Highlights [at Guess] include a brisket melt with cheddar, caramelized onion, and house aioli on Texas toast; fried baby back ribs; and a fresh broccoli salad that might help you justify ordering a few extra menu items. Don’t skip the desserts; all are made in-house, including a heavenly single-serving coconut cream pie.”

“[At Helberg] we found ourselves focused on the pork steak, the smoked chicken (also fried for extra-crispy skin), and the toothsome sausages. The highlights among the side dishes were the smoked-cheddar-and-Gouda mac and cheese and the collard greens. A family-recipe banana pudding was decadently creamy—we would have gone back for more if we hadn’t already stuffed ourselves silly.”

14/10/2021

This week LITERAL beauty queen Ashley Beard stops by Downtown Depot! Ashley is the owner of Halo Athletic Center and was recently crowned Mrs. Texas. In this interview she previews the program for next month’s Mrs. America pageant in Vegas, where she’ll represent our great state, and discusses her organization called Born Perfectly Imperfect.

Before that conversation, Lexy Reil of the Greater Waco Chamber talks about employment in McLennan County and a “life fair” event happening downtown on October 22.

Listen to Downtown Depot on Fridays at 11:30 & 8 on KWBU, Waco’s NPR station. Thanks for your support!

06/10/2021

Some of the best folks in Waco are hiring! American Bank - Waco, TX

03/09/2021

Tune into Downtown Depot on today at 11:30 & 8 to hear the story of , one of Waco’s most popular new food businesses! Founder Jake Patterson discusses the origins of his “Texas teriyaki” concept and plans for a second location on Valley Mills Drive.

02/09/2021

Before tomorrow’s all-new episode of Downtown Depot on KWBU I want to re-up a favorite from this summer! Jasmine Bledsoe is a founder of The New Black Collective and co-host of the podcast Stories Of The Streets. Our conversation touches on her musical history, community development and how she’s working to make Waco a safer city.

Click the link below to listen to Episode 106 with Jasmine and tune in tomorrow at 11:30 & 8 for Episode 111 with Jake Patterson of YAKI!

http://www.wacobusinessnews.com/the-latest/2021/6/21/downtown-depot-jasmine-bledsoe

16/07/2021

My guest today on Downtown Depot is Carla Dotson of ! She talks about development along Elm Avenue, her new food truck on the other side of the river, and a recent conversation she had with . Tune into 103.3FM today at 11:30 & 8 or afterward search for “Downtown Depot” on your favorite podcast app!

16/07/2021

“James Andrew Harris shook the science world in 1969 for two reasons. First, he co-discovered elements 104 and 105 on the periodic table, a massive accomplishment. Second, he was the first African American in history to discover an element. James Harris was a true pioneer, and he worked hard his entire life to make room for African Americans in the sciences.

James Harris started his education and his life here in Waco, and he went on to change both the scientific community and the black community. Harris is still remembered today as an African American innovator and hero who not only blazed the trail himself, but who worked hard to make sure other black students could follow in his footsteps. Nuclear scientist Darleane Hoffman said of Harris, ‘From the first time I met him in the early sixties to the last time on the day he passed away, he was upbeat, cheerful, and a pleasure to be around.’”

Learn about James Andrew Harris on the and hear more stories of inspiring Wacoans on the hosted by Dr. Stephen Sloan, Director of the Institute of Oral History at

02/07/2021

02/07/2021

This come-up story of Tattoos by Zac "Lefty" Colbert 🤯 from tattooing ex-cons as a teenager to teaching the art to audiences across the world, Zac “Lefty” Colbert of Infamous Ink has succeeded by always improving and always giving back. Click the link below in to stream Episode 105 of Downtown Depot with Lefty and tune into KWBU tomorrow at 11:30 & 8 for an interview with another inspiring entrepreneur!

http://www.wacobusinessnews.com/the-latest/2021/6/7/downtown-depot-lefty-colbert

02/07/2021

Want to own a piece of Downtown? The Containery, an ambitious retail center constructed of colorful shopping containers, recently hit the market for $6.5M. is already a tenant - work with to fill out the other spots and you’ve got a fun property management gig on your hands! Excited to see what magic happens here

18/06/2021

Jasmine Bledsoe of The New Black Collective is my guest today on Downtown Depot! We talk about , community activism, and ways Waco has changed. Listen on KWBU 103.3FM at 11:30am and 8pm or search for “Downtown Depot” later on your favorite podcast app!

17/06/2021

Incredible interview with Jaja Chen in Episode 104 of Downtown Depot! The licensed therapist and co-owner of Waco Cha discusses her Taiwanese heritage, the growth of businesses in Waco, and why it’s important for companies to identify their values before their products.

Use the link below to listen or search “Downtown Depot” on NPR One Apple Podcasts or KWBU!

http://www.wacobusinessnews.com/the-latest/2021/5/24/downtown-depot-jaja-chen

17/06/2021

On tomorrow’s episode of Downtown Depot, we shine the Small Business Spotlight on unSHAKEable Milkshakes! Not only to they make these gigantic delights at Union Hall, the sweet shop is staffed by Sunshine Recovery House residents and all proceeds go toward their mission of helping these women in recovery. Natasha Scheibe, Operations Manager, shares her story on Downtown Depot tomorrow at 11:30 & 8 on 103.3FM KWBU!

The Small Business Spotlight is presented by the local marketing team at Spectrum Reach. With offices in Waco and Killeen, Spectrum Reach helps local businesses stay connected to their communities.