Sunday through Friday, the parking lot across from the McLennan County Courthouse is just that – a parking lot. But every Saturday for the past seven years, that parking lot transforms into the Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Hundreds of customers mill about the market most weekends, visiting any of the nearly 50 vendors.
But starting this Saturday, you won’t find the market in front of the courthouse.
"When Bridge Street Plaza was developed, it became pretty clear that that was a really good market venue," Saturday Market Manager Rachel Velasco said.
The market will move across the river to its new location at Bridge Street Plaza on March 1, 2025.
"It just made sense for us to be able to kind of fit what we’re doing in the community," Velasco said. "We fit a little bit better over at the Bridge Street Plaza than we did in the parking lot."
The move has been in the works for months, but it’s a big change and some vendors, like Rancho Martinez’s Lea, are worried about the new space.
"I don’t know where people are going to park, they’re going to have to walk probably a little bit and that’s a problem I think," she said.
But, she said, the Plaza provides a lot of green spaces for families, which is something they’re missing at their courthouse location.
And parking has become more of an issue at the current location, with the closest and most popular lot becoming privatized. Saturday Manager Rachel Velasco said with new partnerships around Bridge Street Plaza, she hopes parking isn’t a big issue.
"Parking is going to be a challenge downtown as our community continues to grow. At Bridge Street we actually have a lot of street parking that’s available," Velasco said.
Plus, she added, if you have to park a little farther, it's a great way to see Waco's natural features.
"If you want that Waco river experience, you can actually park across the river," she said. "Take a stroll across the Suspension Bridge and into the market."
But the biggest concern most vendors have is just getting customers to the new location.
"A lot of customers just didn’t know we were moving," Sweet and Sourdough owner Leah Trowbridge said. "They had no idea."
The Farmer’s Market team have tried to address this, adding signs about the new location to the market and increasing their social media posts leading up to the move.
You can find the Waco Downtown Farmers Market Saturdays from 9 am – 1 pm, now at the Bridge Street Plaza. Every Saturday in March has a unique theme meant to draw in new customers.
