Moving Markets: Relocating the Waco Farmers Market

Waco’s Downtown Farmers Market appears every Saturday morning, supplying locals with fresh produce, baked goods, juicy meats, and homemade trinkets. Propped in front of the McLennan County Courthouse, tents and food trucks fill the parking lot as swarms of bodies file down sidewalks to shop, talk, and eat amongst the community. The farmers market has resided in front of McLennan County’s courthouse for eight years, reviving the heartbeat of Waco on a weekly basis. Just two years ago, a second market location opened across the river for seasonal goods on Wednesday evenings at the Bridge Street Plaza.

This weekend, the WDFM will be making the mile move across the Brazos, establishing their permanent residence in East Waco at the Plaza. While plans to move the Saturday market have been public for some time, many residents are uninformed of the relocation. Baylor University junior and frequenter of the Saturday market shared her excitement for current occupants of East Waco, stating that this move will bring commerce to new parts of the city. However, she stated, “I don’t know enough about the move to make a firm opinion on it, like where it is even being relocated.” The Baylor junior admitted that she is not nearly as impacted as the small businesses and local residents who may be adjusting to the shift. 

With over fifty local vendors stocking goods from a 150 mile radius, the Waco Downtown Farmers Market sources fresh, affordable foods throughout the year–a considerable feat in the harsh Texas climate. While the move may be beneficial for commerce within these small businesses and within the greater Waco economy, the effect for Wacoans has yet to be seen or felt. This shift follows developmental and financial investments in East Waco, with which the city plans to aid restoration of the vibrant neighborhood by revitalizing abandoned buildings, preserving historic landmarks, and centralizing the plaza as a hub for community.