A note from Chip and Joanna:
Our dream for the Silos grounds took root about 6 years ago during our daily drive to and from where our kids used to go to school. Whenever we’d pass the vacant lot, I couldn’t help but daydream about all that the land could become. Once it was ours, I knew it would be a long process to piece together all the ideas I had in my mind and turn them into a reality. But sure enough, those visions started coming to life one by one, starting with the grand opening of Magnolia Market in 2015, followed by Silos Baking Co. in 2016, and then Magnolia Press in the fall of last year. But the truth is, we knew the story wasn’t over for this special corner of Waco.
With that said, we’re excited to officially announce our expansion plans for the Silos grounds! This project feels like a long-awaited extension of that first dream all those years ago. We believe that each of these additions fall in line with our overall vision for the Silos—to offer a place that encourages people to see and create beauty in their everyday lives. Whether you’re a Waco local or a guest visiting for the first time, we hope these new experiences will leave you feeling renewed for the days to come. We broke ground just a few weeks ago and construction will continue through this summer. We can’t wait for you to visit and see it all come together!
A few more details about the expansion:
Towards the end of this year, a new entrance will be added to the grounds right next to Magnolia Press on 8th street. As you enter, there will be six new lifestyle retail shops featuring a variety of products, from paper goods to bath and body. We’ll be sharing more specifics about each of these shops in the coming months.
Elements of a historic church will be relocated to the main area of the Silos grounds. Built in 1894, the original church is one of the oldest in Waco. For over 30 years, it has sat boarded up and vacant, which makes us all the more excited to be able to restore parts of its structure and give them a new purpose here at the Silos, as a place where guests can sit and enjoy its beauty or just pass through.
From 1905 to 1956, Waco was alive with the thrill of baseball right here on the Silos grounds. Originally called Katy Park, this field was once home to the minor league team, the Waco Pirates, and fans got to watch them play against legends like Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. To pay homage to this history, we’re breaking ground on a ballpark so families and friends can come play. We’ll also be opening a concession stand, because a ballgame just isn’t the same without a snack in hand! Last but not least, we're adding more restrooms and more shade (summer, we’re looking at you!), along with a designated area for our food trucks.
We can't wait for the completion of this project and for you and your family to come and enjoy all there is to see and do in our beloved town!
We’ll be sharing more exciting updates about this expansion process over the next few months. Here’s how you can follow along: