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Magnolia Market set to expand by end of 2019

Posted at 7:35 PM, Jun 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-23 16:02:45-04

WACO, TX — Magnolia Market is about to get even bigger.

Melett Harrison is the executive director of economic development for the City of Waco. She said Magnolia Market plans to do $10.4 million worth of renovations and additions before the end of the year.

The Magnolia Masterplan Project will be between Webster Avenue, Jackson Avenue, 6th Street and 8th Street. The project will include a coffee shop, home furniture store, retail village, a repurposed church building, outdoor walkways, recreation and reflection space.

People travel from all over the world to see what Chip and Joanna Gaines have built.

Bill Sokolis is visiting from Chicago with his daughter. He said the only reason they came to Waco was to see the Silos.

"It was a cool trip, definitely worth coming back," Sokolis said.

Sokolis works in construction and his daughter is a designer. The pair appreciates the Gaines' quality of work.

"I love their style. We've kind of adopted their style in Chicago," Sokolis said.

He's also impressed by the mark they're leaving on Waco.

"I think it's hard to hold them down," Sokolis said. "I'd like to follow them around, pick up their crumbs! They're awesome."

About 30,000 people like Sokolis visit the Silos each week. With an expansion in the works, more people may soon be on the way.

Magnolia Silos, LLC temporarily put its request on hold for $1 million in public improvements associated with the redevelopment. But this will not impact plans to be finished by the end of the year, said Harrison. Harrison said those funds would go toward fixing sidewalks, dealing with draining or lighting issues and restoring buildings.

Magnolia's publicist declined an on-camera interview and wouldn't answer any questions about the project. Instead, we were given the following statement.

We’re still in the final stages of solidifying our master plan for the area, but we expect the entire project to be complete by the end of the year. Additional construction details and site plan information will be available in the coming weeks, but our hope with this project is to create an active and beautiful community space for Wacoans and visitors alike.