Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

I traveled to Waco, Texas to see the town that's been transformed by HGTV's hit show 'Fixer Upper' - here's what it's likehttps://www.businessinsider.in/i-traveled-to-waco-texas-to-see-the-town-thats-been-transformed-by-hgtvs-hit-show-fixer-upper-heres-what-its-like/although-i-didnt-see-them-in-person-chip-and-joannas-presence-is-all-over-waco-i-was-happy-to-show-myself-around-shop-and-chat-with-employees-and-other-fans-/slidelist/59147233.cms2017-06-14T20:17:49+05:30

I traveled to Waco, Texas to see the town that's been transformed by HGTV's hit show 'Fixer Upper' - here's what it's like

Jun 14, 2017, 20:17 IST

Although I didn't see them in person, Chip and Joanna's presence is all over Waco. I was happy to show myself around, shop, and chat with employees and other fans.

I treated myself to an iced Chai, and loved all the seating options. Inside there were vintage couches and chairs, and in this spacious back area plenty of eclectic chairs and tables.

The next morning before I headed back to Austin, I made sure to swing by Common Grounds, the coffee shop sometimes featured on the show. They also have a food truck at the Silos, but the original shop is on the Baylor University campus.

Heading back to Waco, my last stop for the day was the new Magnolia Realty shop. There's not too much to do here unless you're buying a house in the area, but it's a cool building that true to form used to be abandoned and run down until Joanna and Chip came along and fixed it up.

Jimmy Don himself was there, and nice enough to come out from the workshop to take a photo with me. He also said hello to some other fans in the shop.

In the front there is a small shop with Jimmy Don's signature iron signs displayed, but the back is where the real magic happens. These pre-made signs were all going to Magnolia Market, where they sell for $38-$84. You can also have him custom make a sign, and they ship across the country.

I arrived to find a pretty nondescript building, but there was a giant iron gate out front with the initials JDH so I knew I was in the right place.

While in the parking lot at Clint's shop, I ran into a couple who were also on a "Fixer Upper" self-tour. They encouraged me to head out to Jimmy Don's Ironworks, although it was about a 25-mile drive outside Waco. I figured since I'd only be there once, I needed to see everything, so out into the countryside I went.

Fun fact: right next to Clint's shop is the house he and his wife bought through the Gaineses and had them fix up in an early season of the show. They don't live there now and in fact rent it out on Airbnb.

The inside of the shop is very adorable and features items from Clint but also other local Waco craftspeople and artisans. You can definitely see how these items would fit perfectly in a Fixer Upper home.

After Magnolia Market it made sense to go see Clint Harp's woodworking shop. Clint is often featured on "Fixer Upper," as Joanna goes to him for custom dining tables, benches, and other cool wood features.

It was getting hot and I was looking for a place to eat my food. These covered picnic tables seemed like a genius idea. After eating I gathered up my shopping bags and went to see what else Waco had to offer.

After all that shopping, it was lunch time and I was getting hungry. Luckily there is a row of food trucks that line the north perimeter of the Silos. Choices for lunch included grilled cheese, crepes, Asian rice bowls, and of course BBQ. I also opted for a real fruit smoothie.

Surprise! Inside this small shop it was also crowded. They sell everything from planters to seeds, signs to garden tools, and t-shirts.

In another corner of the Silos area, there is the Magnolia Seed and Supply Shop. This place has all your garden needs, and also pretty photo ops with the flowers.

In addition to a wall showing off their paints, wallpaper, and signs from local artisan Jimmy Don (more on him later), there was a table displaying issues of Magnolia Journal. Each issue features style tips (of course), recipes, small business owner profiles, and more.

Of course the shop is styled impeccably. In one corner there is a mock up of the ideal Fixer Upper kitchen: white subway tile, farmhouse since, concrete countertops. Classic!

Although it was still before noon on a weekday, the store was bustling with customers. Employees greeted me throughout, and the cashier line was constantly growing.

The awning for the new Magnolia shop features simple lettering, a sophisticated upgrade from the vintage sign on the original store that is composed of metal letters in various styles.

I took a stroll around the area before heading into the store. At different times during the year they host community events here, such as movie nights and concerts. The Silos really make an impressive backdrop.

In addition to these staples that are always available, there were also two seasonal flavors of cupcakes. I went with fresh peach. The presentation is pleasing and whimsical.

I also needed some sugar, so I joined the line for the bakery, which moved swiftly. We were all given order cards ahead of time to present to the cashier. The inside is decorated in Joanna's signature black and white style, with wood elements on the ceiling.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the line out the door for the newly opened Silos Baking Co! It was mid-morning, and plenty of people wanted their sugar fix.

To orient myself, I checked out this hand drawn map of the Silos area. You can see the Magnolia shop dominates in the bottom left corner, and there's a green area in the middle that's open for play and relaxation.

Now you can visit the Magnolia Market at the Silos instead. The Silos were an abandoned fixture in Waco until Joanna and Chip bought them and relocated their shop next door.

Back before "Fixer Upper" the TV show, while Chip Gaines was flipping houses, Joanna Gaines had a dream to run a boutique home goods shop. The original Magnolia store she opened still stands off a busy street, but they recently moved their business to a bigger store. You can drive by but the store itself is closed to the public.

First, I had to get there. I flew into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, rented a car, and drove about 100 miles north to Waco. It's about equidistant from the Dallas airport.

Next Story 5 things to avoid doing if your phone gets wet

View All Latest