☕Garden City Grocery: Downtown Waco’s Long-Awaited Food Revival

Good Morning Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that's as fun as finding extra fries at the bottom of your Whataburger bag.

— Sam Harper

Insurance rates are shifting across Texas, and a lot of folks around Waco are taking a second look at their coverage. If we’ve met, you know I’m not just another agent, I’m your neighbor.

As a local agent with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, I'm here to make sure your auto, home and life insurance coverages actually fit your life, not some one-size-fits-all plan from a call center or online company. I meet with my clients face-to-face, get to know them, and learn what is the right coverage for their family. When was the last time you had an agent meet with you in person?

Whether it is walking you through a claim, or just answering a quick question, I'm here when you need me. Just honest advice from someone who gets what it means to live in the Waco Area, storm season and all.

Let’s make sure your coverage is working as hard as it should., for your family, your goals, and your peace of mind.

Call, fill out this form, or stop by—I’m always glad to help.

🎸 Tucker Wetmore Hits Foster Pavilion Oct. 23
Country star Tucker Wetmore, known for radio hits like “3,2,1” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” is headlining his first arena show at Waco’s new Foster Pavilion on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Opening is Tulsa’s Kaitlin Butts, an Opry Next Stage artist making waves with her Billboard-charting single “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me).”
Tickets: On sale for the public on Aug. 15 at baylor.edu/fosterevents.

🦖 Fresh Dinosaur Tracks Found
After the July 5 floods, crews uncovered massive three-toed dinosaur footprints near Big Sandy Creek — some hidden under brush, others revealed by flood scouring. Experts say the tracks date back 115 million years and likely belong to an Acrocanthosaurus. Fun fact: these dinos are Waco-area natives, revealed once again thanks to extreme weather. Take a look at the size of the foot prints here.

🚒 New Fire Station Groundbreaking on La Salle Ave
Waco’s future Fire Station #4 broke ground at 801 La Salle Ave, set to replace the nearly 60-year-old original near Baylor. The $5.99 million, 8,600 sq. ft. station is designed to serve the booming South Third Street corridor better, improving emergency response times and keeping Waco’s top-tier fire rating intact. Completion is planned for spring 2027. Fire Chief Bergerson calls it a “strategic investment in public safety,” and Mayor Holmes says it’ll be a true neighborhood hub.

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After 70 years without a downtown grocery (blame the 1953 tornado), Waco’s historic H-E-B building at 1724 Austin Ave is getting new life. Garden City® Grocery plans to open early 2026, described as “Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s having a hometown baby.”

Expect farm-to-market produce, an on-site butcher, a seed-oil-free scratch kitchen, and a “Refresh Bar” — a modern nod to the old-school ice cream fountain that once operated there. The restored national historic landmark will also feature solar roofing, a greenhouse garden, and terrazzo floors under streams of natural light.

Beyond groceries, the project will include 10 Garden Loft apartments and retail spaces (1,000–5,000 sq ft), helping erase a USDA-defined food desert while sitting just a mile from Baylor.

🍛 Waco’s Indian Food Scene Keeps Growing
Taz Indian Cuisine is now open at 160 N New Rd, serving a buffet of favorites like garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, and paneer tikka. It’s the second Indian restaurant to open in Waco this year — proof our international food scene is heating up.

🧀 Say Bonjour to Local French Cheese
At 1230 N Valley Mills Dr, L’Atelier Fromager is bringing French-style artisan cheese to the Heart of Texas. Founder Kirsten, a French expat and former medical professional, uses Texas raw milk to craft wheels like “La Tomme de Waco.” Take a cheese making class or swing by to get some of the best cheeses in town.

📸 A Bright Spot for Local Creators
Sunroom Studio is now open at 214 S 11th St is a downtown rental space designed for photographers, videographers, and content creators. With floor-to-ceiling natural light, you can book by the hour, by the day, or grab a membership.

🔐 Waco Escape Rooms for Sale
Waco Escape Rooms at 711 Washington Ave is on the market for $300K. You’d be taking over an established local favorite where families, coworkers, and friend groups have been cracking codes and solving puzzles for since 2015. Sale includes props, branding, booking software, and a lease through June 2026.

📆 Tuesday:

Books & Brews: Sunset Crowd @ Hemingway’s Watering Hole - 6:30 PM

Beer Garden Yoga @ Brotherwell Brewing - 7 PM

Smarty Pints Trivia @ Southern Roots Brewing Co. - 7 PM

Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday @ Freight Bar - 7:30 PM

Open Mic Night @ Thrst Coffee - 8 PM

📆 Wednesday:

The Meetup @ Startup Waco - 9 AM

Women of Distinction: Big Hat Brunch @ Cashion Academic Center - 11 AM Tickets

Story Time @ Fabled Bookshop & Cafe - 10:30 AM

Katherine Center: The Love Haters @ Hewitt Public Library - 5:30 PM

Wild Wednesdays Hikes @ Cameron Park - 5:45 PM

Financial Freedom Workshop @ NeighborWorks Waco - 6 PM Registration

Trivia Night @ Hemingway’s Watering Hole - 6 PM

Wednesday Game Night @ The Will - 6 PM

Slap Stix Trivia Night @ Torchy’s Tacos - 6:30 PM

Music Bingo @ Brotherwell Brewing - 7 PM

📆 Thursday:

Live Music Night @ Anthem Stories - 5 PM

Music Bingo and Karaoke @ Waco Ale Co. - 6 PM

Free Summer Yoga @ Carleen Bright Arboretum - 6:30 PM

Music Bingo @ The Backyard - 6:30 PM

Bobby Dean & Timeless Country Band @ Waco Lions Den - 7 PM

Thursday Mystery Movie Night @ Freight Bar - 7 PM

Troubadour Tales Songwriter Series with Zak Webb, Logan Faukenberry & Mollie Daniel @ Texas Music Cafe - 8 PM Tickets

🏠 Evergreen Enterprises - Honest, reliable, and on time general contractor
☕ Homestead Weekly Market – Saturday mornings 10A-2P
⭐Adam Rogers - Texas Farm Bureau Insurance - Local, trusted guidance designed specifically for your family.

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It’s not coming to McLane Stadium (we can dream), but this is as close as Waco’s getting to the World Cup anytime soon — and you can be part of it.

On Monday, volunteer sign ups opened up for nine World Cup games that will happen next summer at AT&T stadium (June 11 - July 19, 2026).

Tickets go on sale for these games on September 10. You can be the first to know about them by registering here.

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with your favorite teacher in Waco.

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