Downtown Depot

Host Austin Meek has a conversation with local entrepreneur Daniel Abarca. They discuss tourism in downtown, and the upcoming world axe and knife throwing competition he'll be a part of in Ft. Worth.

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In Episode 115 of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek interviews Paris Rutherford of Catalyst Urban Development. Paris discusses his company’s vision for redeveloping of the Brazos River Promenade and how to design for community connections.

On this episode, Austin Meek sits down with the newest Mrs. Texas, Waco entrepreneur Ashley Beard.

In Episode 113 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews community organizer Dominic Villa. Dominic discusses the struggles growing up in South Waco and ways he’s improving his neighborhood. Prior to that conversation, Brayden Braziel and Alex Blanton of Silent House Theater company preview the production, “I & You.” 

Kennedy Sam, Director of Marketing and Communications at Creative Waco and host of KWBU's Conversations with Creative Waco takes a seat in the guest chair on this edition of Downtown Depot.  She talks with Austin Meek about how Creative Waco brought her back to her hometown, being involved in the every growing and vibrant arts scene and where she'd like to see things go moving forward.  

Austin Meek's guest this week is local businessman Jake Patterson. He talks about transporting his restaurant concept from Portland to Waco, his downtown food trailer, and why he's opening up a brand new drive in location on Valley Mills Drive.

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In Episode 110 of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek interviews Makenzie Asisi, owner of Milkbottle Cookies. Makenzie talks about outgrowing her first and second locations, the welcoming nature of Waco's business community, and her new downtown storefront. 

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Austin's guest for this episode of Downtown Depot is the co-founder of Pinewood Roasters on Austin Avenue.

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Host Austin Meek has a conversation with local business owner Carla Dotson about developments along the East Waco corridor, her recent conversation with Representative Pete Sessions, and about how the community in East Waco is interactive more closely with Baylor University.

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In this episode, host Austin Meek talks with Jacob Green, co-founder of Keep Waco Loud. He talks about the growing arts and entertainment scene in Waco, and disclosing some exciting news about taking over the ownership and operation of an iconic Waco business with his wife, Katie Selman.

Wendy Gragg from City Center Waco also joins in for "The Word on the Street".

In this episode of Downtown Depot, Austin Meek has a conversation with Jasmine Bledsoe, co-founder of the New Black Collective in Waco. They talk about the inspiration for the organization, her family's rich Waco history, and the city's Juneteenth celebration.

In this episode, host Austin Meek talks with local tattoo artist Lefty Colbert of Infamous Ink. They talk about the history of tattooing, his philosphy regarding the art, and the challenges his shop faced during the pandemic.

This week's guest is JaJa Chen, co-owner of Waco Cha, and a licensed therapist. Austin Meek speaks with her about live s an imigrant to the U.S., the importance of diversity, and how she and her husband put the importance of "why" over "what" when making decisions about their small business.

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On this episode of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek talks to Eddie Garcia.  They discuss the lessons he's learned as a young business owner.  Garcia also talks about the lessons he has learned from his hard working immigrant parents.

In this episode of Downtown Depot, Austin talks with Waco City Councilwoman Kelly Palmer (District 4) about her first year in the city council seat, how she dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the female figures who inspire her daily.

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