Downtown Depot

In episode 96 of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek interviews Dillon Meek, Mayor of Waco. Dillon discusses the City’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, projects in the pipeline for downtown, and his visions for a safe and prosperous 2021 in Waco.

This week on episode #95 of Downtown Depot,  Austin Meek talks with Eric Linares, an entrepeneur who runs East Side Market - an outdoor local vendor market.  Their last event of the year takes place on Sunday, Dec. 20th.  And in the small business spotlight, Michael Carpenter of City Center Waco.

In Episode 94 of Downtown Depot,  Austin Meek interviews Julie Keith, owner of Vitek’s BBQ. Julie discusses the responsibility of managing the business as a 4th-generation owner and the opportunities the Covid-19 pandemic presents. Before that conversation, Austin shines the Small Business Spotlight, presented by American Bank, on Jose Lopez of Waco Shoe Hospital. 

Today, in place of the regularly scheduled Downtown Depot, we revisit an episode of the Central Texas Leadership Series in which Nan Holmes interviews Waco Business owner and host of Downtown Depot, Austin Meek.  This interview was recorded January 9, 2019 in the KWBU studio. 

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by Jed Cole of Brazos River Capital. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on voice actor Chris Griesemer.
 

On this episode of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by Kelly Harp, co-owner and designer of Harp Design Co. Kelly lays out the long road that brought her and her husband Clint back to Waco, the beginnings of their partnership with Chip and Joanna Gaines, and how she deals with managing her burgeoning public persona. Meek also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Danea Anderson of Waco Haunted Houses. 

On this week's edition of Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek interviews Jon Passavant, the CEO of Startup Waco. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Bethel Erickson-Bruce, Market Manager of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by real estate agent Gregg Glime to talk about his Waco history. He also shines the Small Business Spotlight on Massimo Di Campli of Di Campli's Italian Ristorante. 

In Episode 89 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Dr. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, a Professor of Marketing at Baylor University. Dr. Tyrha discusses the hollowness of “virtue signaling” by corporate brands, her work with the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, and how the city can be more racially inclusive. Before that interview, Austin learns about the pop-up vendor fair East Side Market from one of its founders, Andreas Zaloumis.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek sits down with Eric Shepherd, executive director of the Waco Civic Theater. He discusses all things drama in Central Texas, ways the musical "Hamilton" is shaping the industry, and how community theaters can bounce back during and after Covid-19. Before that conversation, he shines the small business spotlight on Erin Ward of Pura Vida Paddle.

In episode 87 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Michele Brown, Department Lead of the Culinary Arts program at TSTC Waco. Michele predicts how dining will look in a post-pandemic world, and dishes on the types of cuisine Central Texans are hungry for. Before that interview, Austin hears from David Laws of the Better Business Bureau who details the organizations effort to create an ethical marketplace for the Heart of Texas. 

In this episode of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews real estate developer Bill Wetterman. Bill talks about the evolution of downtown Waco, the balance of public-private partnerships, and the solution for dying malls across the country. Before that interview, Austin shines the Small Business Spotlight on Patrick Margiotta of Patrick’s Dry Cleaners.

This week on Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek discusses the appointment of Darius Ewing to the Waco City Councel District 4, and then sits down with Mary Jane Evans, a DJ on 94.5 The Beat. 

Downtown Depot, which normally airs first and third Fridays of each month, has been put on hold  following FCC guidlines - while host Austin Meek is a candidate for city office.  Although not broadcast on air, you can hear the full program here.

Downtown Depot, host Austin Meek is joined by Waco Police Chief and Assistant City Manager Ryan Holt to discuss the changing role of policing in Waco and America following the nationwide protests against police brutality. This conversation was recorded June 16, 2020 in the KWBU studio.