Adventures in Gainesville
In this post I review and recap my visit to Magnolia Silos in Waco, Texas. Having lived in Austin, Texas for the length of time that spanned the start and end of the hit HGTV show, Fixer Upper, I admittedly never felt compelled to visit Waco for the sole purpose of visiting all things Chip and Joanna Gaines. My KonMari journey changed everything about how I shop and make purchasing decisions so I did not find the urge to visit Magnolia Market, which is a retail shop. It wasn’t until I moved across country to Southern California that I realized the missed opportunity that existed in my own Texas backyard (80 miles away).
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Magnolia Market in Waco, TX
So, on my recent trip to the Lone Star State, I ventured outside the borders of Austin to try something new. I wanted a taste of the energy surrounding the Gaines duo and get a deeper sense of what the brand was about. Plus, the Magnolia super fans intrigued me so I was curious to experience the Silos for myself.
Approximately 80 miles North of Austin, midway to Dallas Texas, you’ll find Waco, a small Texas town with a population of 136K. Twenty to thirty thousand people visit the Magnolia Silos weekly giving this city, the home to Baylor University, a sizable boost and revival.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark -
Magnolia Silos Parking Lot
Magnolia Press Grand Opening
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Magnolia Press Coffee Shop
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Magnolia Press Coffee Shop
Magnolia Market at the Silos
A short walk outside of Magnolia Press I came upon Magnolia Market and the Silos Baking Co. By this point in the day it was nearly noon on a Monday and patrons were already lined up at the market to make their purchases. Christmas music played joyfully while holiday décor was the first attraction as I entered the market. A sizeable crowd of people made maneuvering throughout the market a bit tricky, but it was not really a bother as I did not stay long. Having gone through my own KonMari marathon, my relationship to things has changed and shifted. I no longer “window” shop and any purchase I make is made with intentionality and mindfulness. Although many of the items in the market were well made and beautiful, no particular item sparked immense joy for me so I walked out of the store empty handed.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark Magnolia Market
Silos Baking Co.
Next door from the Magnolia Market, the Silo Baking Co sits on the corner of Webster and 6th Street. A line formed outside the door to the building, but it moved quickly. When I reached the front door, I was kindly greeted and handed a paper menu and pencil. This seemed odd to me as the menu was written on the blackboard within the bakery. Once I made it to the front of the line the clerk asked for the paper order. I handed it to her unaltered explaining how unnecessary it was to check off the two items I wanted and that I would verbally tell her my order. She took my card and pencil and checked off the items. I watched as she input my order into the touchscreen register. I asked why she marked off the paper menu when the register computer was right before her and she answered that the workers who fill the order don’t have the computer and therefore the process is to use the handwritten orders. The process seems unnecessarily manual and a waste of paper. I hope to see changes on the horizon.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Silos Baking Co.
Grounds at Magnolia Silos
The grounds at the Silos spans a whopping two-and-a-half acres. I had plenty of time to wander so I did just that. Soaked in the glorious Texas sunshine on that 70-degree weather day. Next to the Silos is an open space covered in artificial grass. It’s complete with massive porch style swings and bean bags. This space is clearly designed to encourage community, relaxation and play. Surrounding the perimeter of the grounds are several food trucks. Allowing other local businesses, the access to this mega brand is the kind of community that I see the Gaines powerhouse building. Afterall, Chip and Joanna certainly started at the bottom and built their empire. It’s refreshing to see them supporting other local entrepreneurs. It’s exactly this representation of their values that kept me intrigued and wanting more as I leisurely perused the grounds.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Grounds at Magnolia Silos
Found within the grounds is a seed and supply store. A little garden with raised planter boxes encased the supply store, creating a scenic area to rest and take a break from the Texas heat. With ample shade from the towering two Silos the temperature was easily ten degrees cooler. Tucked in the corner of the lot was a cute little spot with wooden stools shaped like mushrooms. I sat there for a while soaking in happy thoughts of being in the present moment, surrounded by natural elements and connecting with myself.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Magnolia Seed + Supply
I wanted to complete my visit with a trip to Magnolia Table. The restaurant closes early at 3PM so I had just about two hours to grab a bite to eat. A complementary shuttle was available making rounds from the Silos directly to Magnolia Table. With all the stops, taking the shuttle set me back about 30 minutes, but it was a leisurely ride and I didn’t have to worry about directions. It allowed me to take in the experience.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Free Trolley Shuttle
Lunch at Magnolia Table
Magnolia Table matched the design elements found throughout the Silos and all the building structures on the Silo grounds. I didn’t wait long to grab a seat at Magnolia table because I was seated at the end of a long table with other patrons. I didn’t mind being seated with strangers as I have no problem striking up a conversation. Most people I talked to made a special trip to the Silos with a majority being from out of town.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark
Magnolia Table Avocado Toast
I ordered a basic item off the menu, avocado toast. At $8 dollars the toast came with a small pinch of salad. I also ordered beet juice which was tasty and reasonably priced at $4 for eight ounces. Perhaps coming from Southern California, my price point on food is a little bit skewed, but I found the menu items to be reasonable given the ambience of the restaurant.
I made my way back to the shuttle stop and waited a long while, nearly 30 minutes, for the shuttle to arrive. Given the extra time it took to get to Magnolia Table, I would not likely use the free shuttle service again.
Before leaving I opted for a refreshing sweet tea from The Alabama Sweet Tea Company. I got a glass mason jar with my order and I was pretty happy to bring this memento back to SoCal with me. Now that I have a taste for decanting, I absolutely love using glass mason jars for food storage.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark
The Alabama Sweet Tea Company
Final thoughts...
I’m all into numbers and measurement so here’s my scorecard for how Magnolia Silos stacked up to my personal expectations. On a five-point scale with five being the highest, I would rate my visit in the categories below as follows:
Ambiance – I’m giving ambiance a solid 5 here. The cohesiveness of the Silo grounds including the offsite Magnolia Table restaurant was beautiful with no detail left untouched.
Extra details – The extra details were spot on and I give them a 5. The sign in table was a cute element and the customer service with friendly staff and greeters made the trip that much more enjoyable.
Accessibility – Top score of 5 in this category. The Silos scored major points for the walkability of the grounds. It was easy to navigate the space and despite the vast 2.5 acres, every corner was well thought out and easy to access.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark -
Magnolia Seed + Supply
Amenities – The amenities get a score of 4. The restrooms were clean and ample, beautifully designed to match the entire theme at the Silos. A free shuttle also boosts the score. This eco-friendly option was well thought out, but I wish that the execution was faster more frequent rotation.
Food – Overall, I would rank food at a 3. I’m a foodie and I expected better from an establishment that ranked high in all other areas. Magnolia Press did not give me a good first impression and the food at Magnolia Table was decent, but nothing to rave about. A stand out was the baked goods I picked up from the Silos Baking Co. The scone/biscuit was top notch and I left wanting more.
Photo Credit: @tidywithspark - Magnolia Guestbook
All in all, I spent about five hours at the Silos and that was plenty of time to walk the grounds and experience each element at Magnolia Silos. Making the visit on a Monday certainly helped traffic and it ended up being a perfect choice for someone who doesn’t like a crowd. I am happy that I got this opportunity to visit Waco once more and more importantly make new memories of my old Texas stomping grounds. It was worth the 80-mile trek and I would encourage others who are in the area to make the visit. There is something for everyone, kids and adults alike.
Have you visited the Silos? Thinking about visiting? Share with me your experience or future plans. I’d love to hear about it! If you have any questions please comment below!
Beautifully written Blog and the Pictures are stunning! Gotta go visit Magnolia farms some time!
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I have a Texas trip planned for springtime. The Silos are in my plan. I am visiting family in Dallas and Austin so Waco will be close. I appreciate your eloquent and informative write up!
Hi Michelle! Thank you for checking out my blog post and I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip! Austin is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit. Safe and fun travels to you!