🏙️ Downtown Waco's next chapter, tonight

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the newsletter that feels like a cold Dr Pepper with a splash of cream on a hot Texas day.

In this edition:
💬 A new way to connect with Waco
🏙️ Downtown Waco's next chapter, tonight
🥤 Waco Swig is (basically) open
🎓 A new Waco-built tool for college applicants
🍔 Tuesday is BOGO Burger Night

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

💬 Should Waco Get an Ad-Free Corner of the Internet?

I spent five minutes on Instagram yesterday. Every other post was an ad. One out of every four was an influencer I've never met and never will.

Remember when social media actually helped you be… social? You'd see what your friends were doing, someone would ask where to eat, and you'd find out what people were up to that weekend.

I've been building something like that back in the background recently. Not another Facebook group with the politics, the algorithm, and the guy who only types in all caps. A place to ask "who is going to the show tonight?" find out what's actually good at that new restaurant, or see pictures from the most recent Dinner Club.

Two years into building this, I've realized my goal was never to just be another local media outlet. It's to help us actually connect to Waco, not just read about it.

🏙️ See What's Coming to Downtown Waco. Tonight.

The team behind the Waco Downtown Redevelopment Project is hosting a come-and-go open house today, Tuesday, July 28, from 5 to 6 PM in the lobby outside the Bosque Theatre at the Waco Convention Center (100 Washington Ave).

No RSVP, no presentation. Just walk in, see the latest renderings, and talk to the people actually planning it.

The project covers more than 100 acres along the Brazos, starting with the Barron's Branch District and its new 30-acre signature park. If you've wondered what's happening on those empty lots by the river, tonight's your answer.

👉 Learn more here

🦈 Shark Week Is On Through Saturday

Discovery's 38th Shark Week runs through Saturday, Aug. 1, with three premieres a night starting at 8 PM. Thankfully, the Brazos remains fully shark-free. If you spot a fin at Lake Waco this week, send video, not a phone call.

Waco to Charleston, SC: $348 roundtrip, Sept. 10-14.

That's about 42% below the usual price, or roughly $256 in savings. One stop in Dallas each way. September in Charleston means thinner crowds, cooler evenings, and some of the best Southern food in the country.

👉 Check the deal here*
*_{^{Price is subject to change and may no longer be available at the time you check the link.}}

🥤 Waco Swig Is (Basically) Open

Swig, the Utah dirty soda chain that's been "coming soon" to Waco since practically last Christmas, is now in a soft opening at 1011 S 10th St, right next to MOD Pizza and Velvet Taco.

The real party comes Aug. 14 and 15 for the grand opening: free 24-ounce drinks for every customer, plus free cookies. Drive-thru only, so plan your exit strategy accordingly.

If dirty soda is new to you, it's soda mixed with fruit, cream, and flavored syrup. Half the menu leans on Dr Pepper, which feels about right for a Waco debut.

🎓 Local Build Spotlight: AdmitAI

If you've got a student walking the college application road this year, here's something new worth a look, and it's built right here in Waco.

Dariia Isyk and Shakhlo Juraboeva know exactly what that road feels like. The two Baylor students walked it themselves, then built AdmitAI, a tool that gives applicants honest, data-backed feedback on their school list and their essays, the kind of guidance families used to pay a $10,000 consultant for.

Dariia (finance) built the platform end to end. Shakhlo (international studies) runs operations. Since starting, they've reviewed 541 essays for 10 students. Every one of those students got into their target school, and every admitted student walked away with a scholarship.

Want to meet them? Dariia and Shakhlo are presenting at the YOU x AI Summit on Sept. 12 at PACC, a full day on going from AI curious to actually using it in real life.

👉 Check out AdmitAI here
👉 Get YOU x AI Summit tickets here

📌 Quick Hits

🥬 Sprouts Farmers Market finally has an opening date. The grand opening runs Friday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 23 in the old Joann’s space at Central Texas Marketplace (some folks still refer to it as The New Mall). Expect freebies and deals all three days.

🌉 Washington Ave Bridge Is Closed Through Thursday

If your normal commute crosses the Brazos on Washington Ave, find a new one this week. The bridge is closed between University Parks Drive and MLK Blvd for a TxDOT inspection, and it should reopen around 4:30 AM Thursday.

It opened in 1902, which makes it one of the older bridges in town, though the Suspension Bridge still beats it by more than 30 years. Give yourself a few extra minutes if downtown is normally your crossing point.

🙋 Waco Youth Council Applications Are Open

The City of Waco is taking applications for the 2026-2027 Waco Youth Council through Aug. 26. It's a real seat at the table for local students, with an application, references, and an interview as part of the process.

👉 Apply here

A Free Dirty Soda + A Chance to Win a Hotel Stay

HOTWORX Woodway is celebrating its first anniversary with a blood drive alongside Carter BloodCare on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 13702 Woodway Dr.

Donor slots are already full, but the party isn't. Swing by for raffles and prizes, including a one-night stay at the AC Marriott, a $100 gift card to The Butcher's Cellar or Hilltop Tavern, a Scentsy gift basket, and stretches from Stretch Zone Waco.

Dirty Fix will be there serving free dirty sodas, which makes this the second dirty soda mention in today's edition.

📍 13702 Woodway Dr
🗓️ Saturday, Aug. 1 | 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM*

Two heads up: Story Time at Fabled is on summer break, and Booze Clues Trivia at Dancing Bear Pub is between hosts right now, so don't plan your Tuesday around either one just yet.

Tuesday, July 28:

Wednesday, July 29:

Thursday, July 30:

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway and get your first workout free.

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off their summer camps using code WACOBUZZ. If you or your child wants to try climbing before signing up, swing by the gym any day and give it a try together.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevrolet of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best. They’re offering 15% off the Event Ready treatment plan right now.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off by clicking the link.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with a teacher you know who lives for their afternoon Sonic drink fix. I hope you do something fun this week, and if we cross paths around town, say hi. See you on Friday!

Before you go — two things worth knowing about:

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