Are you in the market for a new place to shop? Sure you could visit that big box store down the street to get your produce or to buy clothes at a department store, but why not use Waco’s local markets for your shopping spree or weekly grocery shop? This year, Waco has added Bridge Street Market and Woodway Farmers Market to the mix, bringing more opportunities to check out local vendors from Waco and the small communities around us. Each market offers unique goods with differing hours so everyone is able to attend at least one. Read further to explore Waco and find the perfect market for you and your shopping needs.
Woodway Farmers Market
Attention people of Woodway: did you know you have your own Farmers Market as of June? This market is fresh just like its produce and is held once a month on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd., this location is convenient for Wacoans and the people of Woodway. As you browse offerings from area vendors, enjoy live music from local artists.
After you shop, stroll over to the garden grounds of the Arboretum which includes a monarch butterfly waystation, hiking trails, the Massey Meditation Grove and more. The Arboretum is free to the public and is open before and after market hours. Patrons can park at Woodway City Hall and Woodway Family Center. The next market will be on Sunday, August 20. For updates on market dates and hours follow Discover Woodway.
Bridge Street Market
Bridge Street Market is also new to the block, opening its tents to the public in March. Unfortunately, due to the heat, the market had to postpone most of the summer dates and is closed until September 13. But don’t fret! The market is well established and will continue to operate every Wednesday from 5—8 p.m. at Bridge Street Plaza.
This market spans across Bridge Street from the plaza to Brotherwell Brewing, 400 E. Bridge St. Patrons can shop for fresh produce and handmade goods, eat at local food trucks, listen to live music and stretch out their stress with yoga. A reason why I love this market is because it is an extension of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, meaning it shares the same vendors and allows more options for Wacoans who can’t make the downtown market on the weekend. Though the market currently isn’t operating, mark your calendars for its reopening.
Eastside Market
Sharing the same side of the river as Bridge Street Market, Eastside Market is located at 400 E Bridge St. in Brotherwell Brewing’s outdoor beer garden. Unlike the previous markets where you can find handmade goods among the produce vendors, this market exclusively offers goods, including vintage clothing and antique wares. Eastside also has fun components such as live graffiti artists who create new pieces on market days, food truck favorites and a brewery serving up local brews on tap.
Eastside Market is hosted once every month on the third Saturday. The next market dates are August 19th and September 16 from 5—9 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor at Eastside, the application opens before every season. It’s $30 to be an indoor vendor, $45 outdoor vendor and $75 to be a food truck vendor.
Waco Downtown Farmers Market
Opened in 2011, the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (WDFM) has had more than 115 participating vendors over the years. This market laid the foundation for other Waco markets to form and has grown so much that it has expanded to Bridge Street. WDFM focuses on produce, meats, cheeses, spices, canned goods and plants with a handmade market every third Saturday that is open exclusively to vendors who create various types of crafts. Each market day also features a local organization at the community booth which is only open to nonprofits or small businesses from the area. This market has been the best part of my Saturday routine for the longest time, and now it can be part of yours too!
Waco Downtown Farmers Market is held at 500 Washington Ave. every Saturday. Due to the scorching heat the market’s summer hours are 9 a.m.—12 p.m. To see a list of vendors for their upcoming market, visit their website.
Da’Shack Farmers Market
Da’Shack is Waco’s only market in town where you can pick your produce straight from the soil. Da’Shack has a variety of produce, herbs and house plants that are all organic. This is a seasonal market open from March through June but is expanding to seasonal gardening workshops throughout the year, with the first coming in September. Unlike the other markets, Da’Shack offers educational classes to teach the public about composting and gardening so that you can grow your own produce. Plants will be available for purchase during workshops.
Da’Shack Farmers Market is located at 925 Houston St., and is open Friday 2-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To stay updated on their Fall opening, follow their Facebook.
Shop til you drop
Now that you know of Waco’s markets, what’s stopping you from going? Grab your friends/family, dogs, tote bag and get to shopping local! The best way to stay updated on each of the market’s hours and vendors, follow their social media and check out Waco Weekend every Wednesday for even more pop-up vendor markets throughout the year.
