Happy New Year, Hallmark friends!!! I am fresh back from my holiday vacay and am ready to publish my first location post of 2018! Since I am a film location junkie, from time to time I will share non-Hallmark locations, which will fall under the “I’ve Scene It On TV” category.
While away, I spent some time in the state of Texas and decided to start the year off sharing my very own Fixer + Upper tour. Now, unless you’ve been in hiding, I am sure you are familiar with Chip & Jo. Real Estate renovators? Book authors? HGTV stars? Vacation rental owners? Retailers? Magazine publishers? Soon-to-be restaurateurs? Magnolia, anyone? If you’re still lost, I totally get it. Until a year and a half ago, I had never heard of them either. For real. In 2016, I even went to their famous Silo’s, having no clue who these people were. I know, crazy, right? But true.
Fixer + Upper Season One: Chip & Joanna; source – Google
Chip & Joanna Gaines are the husband and wife team that make up the popular HGTV show, Fixer + Upper. They live in Waco, Texas and have skyrocketed to fame hosting their hit TV show, now in its 5th and final season. They have not only changed the vibe of Waco, but have actually made it a destination hot spot. Pretty remarkable considering Waco’s previous notoriety. And did you catch their BIG announcement this week??? Joanna is pregnant with their 5th child!!! Congrats Gaines family!
After my first trip to the Silo’s, home to Chip & Jo’s retail store Magnolia Market, I became intrigued. I binge-watched all 3 seasons of Fixer + Upper and was ready when season 4 kicked off. I read their newly released book, The Magnolia Story, and subscribed to their magazine, The Magnolia Journal. I looked forward to returning to Waco one day and taking part in my very own Fixer + Upper locations tour. And I dreamed (a lot!) of savoring another Prize Pig Biscuit from their bakery. Fast forward a year.
The Prize Pig Biscuit; source – Yelp
We have a daughter living in Austin, Texas, about a 1 ½ hour drive from Waco. After our Christmas cruise, we spent several days in Austin and planned a day visit to Waco. Before our trip, I did some research online and put together a sampling of places I wanted to see. Being that it was the week after Christmas, it was very busy, even on a weekday. The retail shop was so jam packed, you couldn’t walk around to look at the merchandise. Although there was no line to get in (which I would have preferred so I could have a look around), the checkout line was over an hour long. My husband’s hot coffee was spilled all over the floor (and his hand) when someone tried to maneuver around the solid crowd of people. And after a year of dreaming, and waiting 45 minutes in line at the bakery, they didn’t have any Prize Pig biscuits for sale. 🙁 None. All this before 11:00 am. It felt like a long-awaited trip to Disneyland, only to arrive at the park and find the Pirates of the Caribbean ride closed. Thankfully, all was not lost because I still had a list of locations to visit. Buckle up…..here we go!!!
Chip & Jo’s 2nd fixer: There is a photo of Jo holding baby Drake in front of this house in their book, The Magnolia Story. 2920 South 3rd Street, Waco
The original Magnolia Store, aka The Little Shop on Bosque: The Magnolia sign is still there, and it is amazing to see where their retail business all began. 3801 Bosque Ave, Waco
Magnolia Market at the Silo’s: Shop in the retail store, wander the grounds. A variety of food trucks offering good eats! Don’t leave without stopping at the Silo’s Bakery; the cupcakes are great but I recommend The Prize Pig biscuit. Or, just play it safe and get both! 601 Webster Ave, Waco
Could not resist this shot!
A whole lot of Magnolia going on
Magnolia Retail Shop
Magnolia Seed + Supply Shop
Playground at the Silo’s
Silo’s Bakery
Inside the Silo’s Bakery
Cupcakes
All I wanted for Christmas was a Prize Pig Biscuit!
Even the bakery bathroom is gorgeous!
Harp Design Co: If you’re a fan of the show, you know Jo often stops by Clint Harp’s workshop. There is a retail area featuring Clint’s wooden home décor items. 808 North 15th Street, Waco
Clint & Kelly Harp’s Fixer + Upper: Located next door to their shop, this Fixer + Upper is now a vacation rental. Hey Clint, love that front door! 822 North 15th Street, Waco
The Shotgun House: This unique home was featured on the show and is also a vacation rental. 624 South 7th Street, Waco
The Beanstock Bungalow: Another fixer we saw get fixed. 2800 Gorman Ave. Waco
Magnolia House: The couple’s vacation rental, as featured on the show. 323 South Madison Ave, McGregor TX
Magnolia House and the caretakers house, as seen on Fixer + Upper
JDH Designs: This is Jimmy Don’s shop. If you are a fan of the show, I highly recommend a stop here. Jimmy Don is a humble and gracious man and he will make you feel as welcome as a local. Crazy thankful to have met you, Jimmy Don! 9685 North Lonestar Parkway, Crawford TX
Magnolia Table (former Elite Café): This is the latest in the Magnolia empire. As you can see, it isn’t open yet but will be very soon. 608 Austin Ave, Waco
And what would this tour be without driving past the famous white farmhouse?
Look for the new cookbook, Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering, coming in April, 2018. You can pre-order your copy here.
On my flight home from Texas, I read Chip’s book, Capital Gaines. I found it to be insightful as well as inspiring. Nicely done, Chip! Fixer + Upper season 5 can be seen Tuesday nights on HGTV. Check your local listing for times.
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Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Are you a fan of Fixer + Upper? Let me know what you thought of the tour in the comment section below. I will be back next week with an all new Hallmark location.
Always loved this show. As I understand it, JoAnna is a self-taught interior designer and she is positively great at it. As for Chip, he is so entertaining and also a very talented carpenter. I like interior design myself and would pick up ideas from the show. Thank you for the tour of their businesses and of the photo of their beautiful home.
Joy, they are fun to watch, that is for sure!!! I enjoy seeing the transformations on the show. I love her style. And like you, I look for inspiration and ideas. I hope you can make a trip to Waco some day.
PS……I think of you every time I use my coffee mug!!! 😉
Do you happen to know where there home is located was wanting to drive by it .
Hi Rebecca, sorry but I do not publish private addresses for homeowners….not even for the Gaines family. 🙂
Yes! I love the “Fixer Upper” TV Series, too!!! It’s the perfect show to binge watch! What a beautiful, busy place! I am thrilled to see how blessed Chip & Joanna are! That’s wonderful! You certainly made the most out of your trip – by visiting so many “show” related sights & places! I so enjoyed seeing every bit of it! You always make each location come alive with all of your descriptions and personal stories. Thank you, Kerry, for sharing this Texas trip with us and taking us all along on this incredible journey!
*P.S. Thank you, again and again, for the beautiful “All of my Heart” farmhouse tea towel! It would be a hit, for sure, in the Fixer Upper gift shop! The home design is so pretty and reminds me very much of my Grandmother’s home, when I was a little girl. Precious memories!
Many Blessings to You and a Happy, Joyous New Year!!! Net
I’m happy for their success too and they are gracious and giving people from what I have read. Amazing how their life has changed in the last few years!!! I am so happy you enjoyed the photos and post. I appreciate that so much Net!!!
And I am thrilled that you like your All of My Heart tea towel. Thank you so much for your purchase!!!
May you be blessed this year and always!
I absolutely love Fixer Upper and the Gaines. I came to appreciate them even more after reading Joanna’s book. They are both such decent, humble and kind human beings. I am so happy for them and their success. I too am excited about their restaurant adventure. They are like The Everyready Bunny – they just keep going and going and going!
I bought Capital Gaines for my husband for Christmas! I suggested he read Joanna’s book first though.
Thank you for the beautiful tea towel I gifted to two special women in our lives. They loved them.
Best wishes for “sceeing” great locations this year.
Dodie, thank you so much for the feedback on the tea towels. I am so happy they love them!!! Thank you for purchasing. 🙂
I loved The Magnolia Story and it was a great glance into the lives of this dynamic duo. They have such big hearts and appear very down to earth. I understand people are upset about their show ending but I know we have not seen the last of them……they are just getting started! If you read Capital Gaines, let me know what you think. I really enjoyed it……it gave me some much needed perspective at just the right time in my life.
Loved this post. I am a big fan of Fixer + Upper and would love to head to Waco to check it all out. Thanks for inspiring me even more to go!
Terri, you should plan a trip! I think you would really enjoy it. 🙂
Great story Kerry! I love that show too. Read your bio and memories of us sharing Knots Landing stories all came flooding back. Boy do I miss that show. Thanks for sharing on your blog, great read.
Aw, thanks Steph! Yeah, KL was such so iconic. I wish they would release ALL 14 season on DVD. What an amazing run, deep and powerful sotrylines for its time. Very special years of my life, and I am thankful to still call you my friend. ♥
Kerry,
I was the one of the lucky women that Dodie gifted the beautiful tea towel to.
I love Chip and Joanna. They are very special, loving and generous folks. They have worked so hard to be where they are today, all while raising their 4 children in a healthy way. I am excited for their 5th and for that, while I am sad that this is the final season, I know they ended it to spend more quality time with them.
Great tour of the town, so fun to hear from someone who loves it there. A dear friend of mine said she went to the shop and the bakery and it was freezing and such a long line at bakery and like you, couldn’t see the items at the shop. I’d love to go, so thanks for taking me along with you.
Happy New Year,
Lea
Hi Lea! I am thrilled that you were gifted a tea towel and I hope you love it! I think they turned out really nice. Be sure to let it air dry. I’m told they become softer with each wash.
Im glad you enjoyed my Fixer + Upper tour. I have a friend was there yesterday……temps were warm, sky blue, and she said the crowds weren’t bad at all. AND she even got a Prize Pig biscuit!!! Lucky girl. Guess I will have to go back again. You should come too!
Thanks for your support Lea,
Kerry:)
Kerry, thank you for posting your blog post on my FB wall in regards to Chip and JoJo and all things Magnolia. Again, you do such an EXCELLENT job at capturing whatever you are researching. You take us along for the ride beautifully. I want to visit Waco now…and follow in your steps. 🙂 I read “The Magnolia Story” for a book club that I am in currently. I gained much from reading their book. So many stories…so many lessons they shared. Jo’s ability and process in becoming content, no matter her circumstances impressed me greatly. That and her self-taught talents in decor, cooking and remodeling…wonderful! Maybe there’s hope for me yet. ~ Well Kerry, you just keep doing what you’re doing. LOVE your reads. Thanks for educating us each and every time. Always, N
Aw, thanks Nance! I am so happy that you enjoyed coming along on my little Waco tour! You should def plan to visit…..its a fun spot! If you loved “The Magnolia Story”, then you will def want to read Chips book, “Capitol Gaines”. It was very real, honest, and left me feeling quite inspired. It’s on my shelf if you would like to borrow it!!! Thank you for checking out the post and your kind comment. I am so glad you stopped by!!! 🙂