Farmers' markets provide multiple benefits to the community around Waco homes for sale. They support local farmers and vendors while also serving as an incubator for new stand-alone ventures. The different area farmers' markets have served as a hub for the community and have grown in popularity with residents and visitors alike. Many of our markets have become a weekly stop for area residents, and as such many businesses have chosen to have a presence in these markets, even when they have stand-alone storefronts or their products be found in locations around town. Our real estate agents turn a spotlight on nearby farmers' markets and the businesses they have spawned: 

• Waco Downtown Farmers Market - 500 Washington Ave., Waco, TX 76701
  When the Waco Downtown Farmers Market was founded in 2011, it was comprised of 14 vendors situated alongside the Brazos River;  in 2017, the market relocated to the courthouse parking lot, in the shadow of the historic Alico Building. Today, WDFM hosts as many as 80 vendors during special event weekends and rings up more than $1.5 million in annual sales. On the third Saturday of each month, WDFM hosts a Handmade Craft Market featuring specialty products such as jewelry, soaps, lotions, and pottery. Hours are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. each Saturday. 

For more details on the WDFM keep going towards the bottom of the article.

• Lorena Farmers Market - 307 E. Center St., Lorena, TX 76655
  The success of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market inspired an enterprising duo to start a similar operation near Lorena homes for sale. On July 19, 2021, Lorena Farmers Market opened for its initial event. Kevin Barrera, manager of Barrera's Nursery & Landscape, teamed up with fellow Lorena resident Malisa Spivey to turn the project into reality. Locally-produced items found at the market include fruits and vegetables, cheese, baked goods, jams, salsas, clothing, and soaps. Located in a field next to Lorena Plaza -owned by the Barrera family- the market is open from 9 a.m. - noon on the second Saturday of each month.
  
  
• Da' Shack Farmers Market - 925 Houston St., Waco, TX 76706
  Donna Nickerson and her mother Melba, proprietors of Da' Shack Farmers Market, want to help customers grow their own produce. While Donna and Melba sell fruits and vegetables grown onsite, along with products from other organic farmers, they sell plants and provide instruction and advice for beginning gardeners. Follow them on Facebook to see pictures of their customers' success stories. Hours are 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday.

• Bridge Street Farmers Market -  200 E Bridge St., Waco, TX 76704
  2023 has been an exciting year for Waco and surrounding areas, and it is also a very exciting time for the WDFM. The end of March will see the Waco Downtown Farmers Market hosting a 2nd weekly farmers market on Wednesday evenings from 5-8pm. Dubbed The Bridge Street Farmers Market in honor of its location, the market and attendees will benefit from the stage and spacious lawn of the newly developed Bridge Street Plaza, 2 blocks from the iconic Waco Suspension Bridge. 

Located in East Waco, the Bridge Street Farmers Market is just one of the many ongoing projects for expansion, beautification and development in the area. Plans for this area date back to 2010 and the Imagine Waco Master Plan, though the project was managed and carried out by City Center Waco. The project, which cost approximately $6 million, carried with it the intention of developing the space into a place for community events, festivals, live music and more. Kelly, Realtors attended the ribbon cutting in 2021, and we have been so excited ever since. 

Let's take a deeper dive into the Waco Downtown Farmers Market and the effects it has had on the Waco entrepreneurial community and surrounding areas:

"The Waco Downtown Farmers Market (WDFM) was started in 2011 after local growers and downtown business owners saw an opportunity to bring together the Waco Community in the downtown area - through the creation of a space that encouraged agricultural growth and entrepreneurial activity." Bethel Erickson, Waco Downtown Farmers Market director informed us. 

In 2011 the downtown Waco area was not quite the boomtown it is today. Even now the area is still expanding, finding an identity, and taking shape, it's exciting and full of promise. Its scrappy can-do, open-arms attitude has brought prosperity to many and allowed businesses and business owners to find community and the courage to explore. The Waco Farmers Market has both benefited and assisted with these. Bethel Erickson, The Waco Downtown Farmers Market Director, has had quite a history -nay- a love story with the farmers market. Having served on the board that worked with the City of Waco, ensuring the creation of a permit that would allow for the development of other markets in the area; Bethel assisted with the launch of WDFM, and became the first market manager back in 2011. Having held positions with the local Farm World Hunger Relief, Inc. and the Urban Gardening Coalition proved invaluable when establishing the fledgling market. There was a short stint in Montana, from 2014-2017, but Waco and the Farmers Market beckoned, and in 2017 she returned as the Waco Downtown Farmers Market as its Director. 

Bethel Erickson has had an impressive trajectory, in 2023 she became the instructor for a specialized course with Baylor University Office of Engaged Learning: Urban Farmers Markets PPS1100-08.  From the Baylor course overview: "This course explores the connection between small businesses and the local food and farming community - through the operation of an alternative marketplace. Students will learn how the Waco Downtown Farmers Market addresses food access, supports entrepreneurship, and builds community by engaging in weekly discussions and readings that investigate the various parts of the food system. Students will also spend thirty hours launching a midweek evening farmers market for Downtown Waco." We could not think of anyone better to lead this.

While the market (WDFM) originally began with a handful of donors to get the market started, it is important to note that is in fact a 501c3 non-profit, and while it is separate from the City, it does have its full support. Many former and elected officials serve on the WDFM board of Directors. WDFM, just like the area around it has experienced amazing growth, and from it has spawned many of our local favorites. This is in part thanks to the low overhead that businesses need to operate from the WDFM and the flexibility this affords them when testing not only an area but also products. 

As part of the requirements to form part of the WDFM, farms and businesses must exist within a 150 mile radius of Waco. The tenure of the market has seen some favorites blossom, and move into other venues, or standalone storefronts. Bethel used to keep a running list, but over the years, there have been so many that the list was lost to the annals of time. Between Bethel and our Realtors, here are some that we remember: Cha Community (originally entered the market as Waco Cha), Milkbottle Cookies (though they did not START at the market, it did play a role in their journey),  Milo All Day (We seem to remember them originally at the market as Milo Biscuit Company), Curry Up & Wok This Way, Bloom Waco, Norma's Blooming Bike, Harvest on 25th, Nightlight Donuts & Coffee, Cheddar Box, Luna Juice Bar, Dichotomy Coffee (minus the Spirits) & so many others that we can't recall at the moment.

So much of local businesses is born out of love, dreams, and a story. Waco seems to be the perfect incubator for entrepreneurs and their businesses. Accessibility to area farmers market, a supportive community, a receptive public, and organizations like Start Up Waco create a perfect storm of opportunity.  

We caught up with Milk Bottle Cookies owner, Makenzie Asisi, who gave us a peek into their journey. Milk Bottle Cookies tugged at our heartstrings,  and delighted the senses from the beginning. Started in Waco, they've grown organically - and rapidly- in the area. "We began baking in my home. It grew very fast and I was starting to be unable to separate my home from Milk Bottle. A cloud of dust from the flour covered my house at all times" recalls Makenzie. Lessons were learned along the way, and in Waco, she has found guidance, community and support. Makenzie has expressed a love for the entrepreneurial community of Waco, and can often be heard singing praises about other local business owners, or joining forces for special events. "They played the LEAD role in Milk Bottle. To be able to bounce off ideas off one another was important. The community open their arms immediately and still haven't let go of Milk bottle." -says Makenzie of her experience with the community. Our Realtors -residential and commercial- can attest to the type of community, the love, the support and the investment in each other that our residents and entrepreneurs show. 

Born in 2018, Milk Bottle Cookies had a whirlwind of a ride to opening a storefront by August 2021, along the way The Waco Downtown Farmers Market played a part. "Waking up every Saturday morning before the sun is out and setting up with all of these amazing people that are selling their hard work. Their dreams. It's inspiring." The WDFM played an important role in their journey, as many locals flocked to the Farmers' Market every Saturday to grab a cookie to share. The storefront is a stepping stone, and we cannot wait to see the future of Milk Bottle Cookies. It's sure to be sweet.

We've loved watching the WDFM grow, change and inspire others. We're sure many of the vendors we've grown to love will continue to grow and evolve with the City, it's residents, and the market. We're happy that they choose to be a part of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, The Bridge Street Farmers Market…and are sure to make appearances in the Levitt AMP Waco Music Series - a series of concerts at Bridge Street Plaza, set to begin on April 22nd, 2023.

Waco's strong sense of community makes it a great place to call home, or start a business. Contact us at Kelly Realtors for dedicated help with all your real estate needs.