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Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market at the Silos

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If you ever are in Waco, Texas and have the opportunity to visit Magnolia Market at the Silos, I highly recommend it.


It's been awhile since I've written, but I hope you'll forgive me when you read this post! Although there isn't a single chicken to be found anywhere, I think it's got a nice, farmhouse vibe going on nonetheless. And after all, there's more to life than chickens..not much, but a little, teeny bit more, right?



Anyway, I had the good fortune to be able to visit Waco, Texas as part of the Tractor Supply Company fall chick days Chatting about Chickens tour (courtesy of Manna Pro) this past weekend and of course couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop in to Magnolia Market.

For those of you who don't know who Chip and Joanna Gaines are, don't covet a home full of shiplap, white subway tile and galvanized metal accents, or recognize the phrase "Are you ready to see your Fixer Upper?", you won't get it. 

For the rest of you, YES!!!  I finally got to visit the farmhouse decor mecca known as Magnolia Market! And yes, it was so worth the trip!

Inside Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market at the Silos


I actually scoped it all out on Saturday, and then went back on Monday prepared to really take my time to savor the experience. In reality, although the entire property spans about 2 acres, it's entirely possible to see everything (and load up your burlap shopping bag with some "souvenirs" in a several hour morning or afternoon trip. 

I might have found a few things to bring home, good thing I left room in my suitcase!




Although the main shopping area is all in one building, it's well worth walking around outside as well to explore every nook and cranny. There's a large area with shaded seating ringing a spot where kids can run around and play ball. There are also food trucks lining the perimeter outside. I walked past to take a look and have read the food is amazing, but didn't buy anything to eat outside, so I can't help you there.

However, I did pick up a few tips to help you enjoy your visit a bit more if you are planning on heading down to Magnolia Market.

1. Don't go expecting to actually meet Chip and Jo. According to the staff, they rarely (like never) show up there. Occasionally Jo's parents might stop in, but that's about it. You likely have a better chance running in to them at a local Mexican restaurant they're rumored to favor, or ironically, at Tractor Supply!

2. Don't expect to see anything that even remotely hints that they have anything to do with the HGTV show Fixer Upper. Obviously, that is a trademark owned by the television station and they're not allowed to use it outside of the promotional material for the show. 

On the other hand, Magnolia is trademarked to Chip and Joanna, and it's hard to find something in the market that ISN'T stamped "Magnolia". And if you love the hashtags #shiplap and #demoday, you're in luck!



3. There will be a line to get into the bakery. Not to buy anything - just to get in. It's a fairly small space and the crowds are pretty heavily controlled. The cupcakes are good, but honestly, I was a bit disappointed in them. Frosted with basic buttercream, I thought the overall flavors of both the frosting and the cake of the Shiplap and Lavender Lemon could have been stronger, but then again, Joanna is the queen of understatement, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. 


However, I still think that it's worth waiting in line purely to be able to check out the bakery decor and honestly, just for the novelty alone, buy a cupcake or two - I mean where else can you get a Shiplap cupcake?

(Edited to read: my husband really seemed to enjoy the strawberry cupcake I brought home for him and both the pumpkin spice and cocoa bean were very good!)


4. They do ship right from the store if you just can't resist one of the larger items. And they sell gift cards as well that can be used in the store or online. I was surprised that the gift cards are just plain, solid black. I almost think that if they took the lead from Tractor Supply or Starbucks and designed a handful of really awesome gift card designs and displayed them at the registers, those things would fly out the door. 

But who am I to give them business advice? I did make the suggestion to the cashier who helped me though, so if one day in the future you happen to stop in and see some cool-looking gift cards prominently displayed...just sayin'...

5. Be sure to walk around the back to check out the herb and flower gardens as well as a few adorable outbuildings. There was a beautiful wooden structure that appeared that it was going to be turned into a greenhouse, a seed company building, and even a fenced-in pen and small shed that would really make a wonderful spot for a few chickens! (okay, see I lied, I did manage to squeeze chickens in!)

6. There is free street parking out front and also a free parking lot around back. Don't get suckered into paying $10 to park in one of the private lots.

7. Everything is closed on Sundays, so plan your trip accordingly!

So without further ado, enjoy these photos I took as I strolled around Magnolia Market at the Silos.

Magnolia Market

The main building that houses all the stuff you're going to want to buy. From tees and ballcaps to paint, kitchen decor, books and more, you'll be in Fixer Upper heaven (even though you're not even allowed to whisper that word there!). 

The stuff is a bit pricey, in the $25 range for a tee or ball cap, $12 for a tea towel, etc. but if you're a die-hard fan, you'll be trying to figure out just how much you can cram into your suitcase!  There's even a Chip's Corner for the guys with more "manly" stuff like hammers( $38), travel mugs and leather journals.




 



The Silos

You can't miss the Silos. As you head out of the Market towards the Bakery, you will get to take in the enormity and rusticness (is that even a word?) of them.



The Gardens

Since you're outside, peek around back where you can stroll through the gardens. Raised beds full of vegetables and herbs with chalkboard signs are situated here and there amid paved walkways and wood chip paths. 















And last but not least....

The Bakery aka Silos Baking Co.


  










I really enjoyed my visit. And despite their underwhelming flavor, how many of those six cupcakes do you think made it home all the way to Maine with me? (I was told at the bakery that they have a two day shelf life, so don't worry about not eating them all that day!)

Links:
Find Magnolia Market at the Silos 
Shop Magnolia Market Online
Read The Magnolia Story
Subscribe to The Magnolia Journal



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