Chip & Joanna Gaines - Waco (Howe, Magnolia: houses, to buy, university)

[JenJenMO71]

From an outsider (Northern California), it seems that Chip and Joanna Gaines have done a lot for the renewing of Waco, TX but for those of you Texans, is it true? Have they been as much of a gift to the revitalizing of Waco as it seems or not?
What do you think of their influence on Waco, TX and of them in general? I didn't know if the hype of them and everything The Silos and Magnolia actually lives up to the reality.

[C24L]

Hi OP,
I like Chip and Joanna Gaines for the most part.I like how they have helped take away from the David Koresh connotation and reputation of Waco.I think their wares are overpriced and not my cup of tea.However i did watch fixer upper a few times.They seem to be an example of a good Christian family doing a lot of good for their community and the state.I dont think the whole negative reputation of Waco has gone away but they have helped it.I hear that their is a lot of poverty there so i think Waco still has a long aways to go.

[Mark Senior]

Overhyped, but they have helped Waco, sell some, heretofore, almost worthless properties. For me, Waco has a long way to go. The opportunities implied on their show was not in proportion to reality or true demand for properties in Waco, and it did only increase demand slightly, likely just because of their shows exposure. IMHO.

[Tyryztoll]

We lived in DFW for 2 years and my wife was intrigued by Waco due to being a Fixer Upper fan. We eventually went to check the town out and ..........yikes. That is not an attractive area of the state.

[DanielWayne]

I think a lot of people in Texas don't understand the hype. Also aside from Baylor (and there are some really negative stories about Baylor, too) Waco has always had a bit of a stigma for many Texas residents. To me it's like the whole 'influencer' phenomenon. At the end of the day it leaves me scratching my head asking 'how in the world did we get to this...'

[KathrynAragon]

I like Chip and Joanna Gaines for the most part.I like how they have helped take away from the David Koresh connotation and reputation of Waco.I think their wares are overpriced and not my cup of tea.However i did watch fixer upper a few times.They seem to be an example of a good Christian family doing a lot of good for their community and the state.I dont think the whole negative reputation of Waco has gone away but they have helped it.I hear that their is a lot of poverty there so i think Waco still has a long aways to go.

Overhyped, but they have helped Waco, sell some, heretofore, almost worthless properties. For me, Waco has a long way to go. The opportunities implied on their show was not in proportion to reality or true demand for properties in Waco, and it did only increase demand slightly, likely just because of their shows exposure. IMHO.

I agree totally with these two assessments.

I have relatives who live out of state. Oh my goodness, when they visit, they HAVE to go to Waco and to the Silos! So I have been several times - taking them.

Honestly, the whole "look" is just not my thing, so I have a heck of a time even finding something to buy in their store. And I don't much care for their cupcakes either so there's that.

But I do think they've done a lot for the city of Waco, and I also think they are probably a very nice, balanced Christian family. I hope they continue to bring prosperity and positive energy to Waco and into their own lives.

[turf3]

Meh, it's still Waco. I'd live there if I had to, but I certainly wouldn't choose it.

[UnfairPark]

Imho they did wonders for Waco’s reputation. Waco has some curse, people love to hate that name and associate it with a cult standoff, though it didn’t even happen in Waco city limit.

If it weren’t for Baylor University, that town would’ve no anchor to hold them. Gaines showed softer family oriented side of Waco and positive potential of Waco in media for first time ever. Viewers saw average, educated, middle and upper class families of Waco living normal lives.

Texas has dozens of worse towns but Waco is a PR disaster. They have everything from land, location, manpower, river, lake, nature, all they need are a couple of bigger employers and their employees to inject money in their economy.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Imho they did wonders for Waco’s reputation. Waco has some curse, people love to hate that name and associate it with a cult standoff, though it didn’t even happen in Waco city limit.

If it weren’t for Baylor University, that town would’ve no anchor to hold them. Gaines showed softer family oriented side of Waco and positive potential of Waco in media for first time ever. Viewers saw average, educated, middle and upper class families of Waco living normal lives.

Texas has dozens of worse towns but Waco is a PR disaster. They have everything from land, location, manpower, river, lake, nature, all they need are a couple of bigger employers and their employees to inject money in their economy.

I agree with this.

As someone who moved TO Texas 20 something years ago, I have always been mystified by Waco's reputation and vibe. To me it seems like it is so well situated and has so many positives.

[ChristieP]

I'm not a Fixer Upper fan. My $0.02 is that there are lots of reasons that Chip and Joanna were able to buy so many run-down houses in Waco. Even the few times I have stopped through, I am just not impressed with the place.