Baylor Broadcast Writing & Reporting

By Aidan O’Connor
Spring 2026

WACO, Texas – The story for Chip and Joanna Gaines begins with the opening of Magnolia Market or what is now known as the Little Shop on Bosque in 2003.

Here the trademarked style of the Gaines would be shown off. This style would lead them to gaining their own TV show in 2013 with “Fixer Upper.”

The success from the show eventually led the couple to start several projects in Waco as they expanded their Magnolia brand into an enterprise. Magnolia at the Silos was then built and became the biggest attraction in Waco bringing in tourists and businesses.

While the success and newfound attention being brought to Waco was positive on paper, there were still several residents that were unsure of the impact Magnolia was having on the community.

“It may have been folks who were upset about property taxes going up because, you know, once Waco became popular, lots of things happened. Renovations everywhere until property taxes went up and those are kind of leveling out now,” Baylor Journalism Professor Kevin Tankersley said.

Eventually the animosity for the Gaines died down as the economic boom that Waco was receiving couldn’t be neglected.

Even after the success of Magnolia at the Silos, the Gaines still continue to invest and influence the community. Their newest venture being a donation to Baylor Men’s Baseball.

This donation was the largest one in program history and as a reward for their generosity the home field name was changed to Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

While the initial hostility that the Gaines received has simmered with their economic impact and donations like this being positively received, many still have questions. With so much influence the Gaines have the power to change Waco in drastic ways and Wacoans just hope they will continue to be for the better.

“Because economically, obviously, it’s been great for the city. But I wonder, for all of us, is there more that could be done to help others,” Baylor senior Jackson Posey said.