As we celebrate our 13th year in operation, we are excited to continue our story at the newly developed Bridge Street Plaza. This move will happen in March of 2025, allowing Market staff to carefully plan logistics, promote the move to customers, and invite the community to preview the new location at our Wednesday Night Market this fall.
The McLennan County Courthouse parking lot has served us well as a temporary location for the past seven years, but we're ready for a permanent home that supports infrastructure improvements, fosters expanded community partnerships, and enhances food accessibility for all of Waco—while bringing us back to the Brazos River. As downtown Waco continues to thrive, we’re excited to bridge that growth into the East Waco community with unanimous support from the Waco City Council and the WDFM Board.
Why We’re Excited About the Move:
Location. The Bridge Street Plaza, Waco’s “Front Porch,” opened in 2021 and features a large grass lawn, picnic tables, and the potential for additional shade structures. Just two blocks from the river, the plaza connects East Waco to downtown via the Suspension Bridge, offering room for growth that our current location can’t accommodate.
Community engagement. The Bridge Street Plaza is perfectly situated to welcome all Waco residents. We are excited to use the Plaza Stage to host larger community performances and expanded wellness activities from seasonal cooking demonstrations to goat yoga. Families can picnic on the Plaza lawn while the kids enjoy yard games. We are excited to continue and expand our partnerships with the Asian Leaders Network (hosting Lunar New Year and Diwali Festival), Baylor University Student Voucher Days, monthly Handmade Markets, McLennan County Master Gardeners, Voter Registration and more!
Food access. Our new neighborhood sits at the intersection of entrepreneurial growth and community need in Waco, and we're eager to expand our food access programs while driving increased sales for our agricultural producers. Whether arriving by bus, bike, car, or on foot, our focus is making healthy, affordable food accessible to everyone in Waco, especially in areas like 76704, which lacks access to fresh produce and has a high percentage of households without vehicles.
We’re excited about this move and the incredible opportunities it brings for our vendors, customers, and the entire Waco community. Come explore Bridge Street Plaza with us this fall at our Wednesday Night Market, starting September 4th. We’re partnering with Creative Waco’s Levitt AMP Concert series for the first five markets and will continue with weekly markets through December 4th. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with you!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll be updating questions and answers as we continue to work through logistics for the move!
When is the Saturday market moving?
Saturday, March 1, 2025
What is the address?
200 E. Bridge Street, 76704 - 7 blocks from the ALICO and McLennan County Courthouse.
Can the Bridge Street Plaza fit all of the current Market vendors?
Yes! And more! Our current Saturday vendor line-up fits perfectly around the stage and lawn (View: Saturday site plan) - with the ability to close down Bridge Street at MLK Drive for a full street festival experience (View: full MLK site plan).
Where do I park?
Market staff have blockwalked East Waco to promote parking suggestions for 400 spaces along streets and in parking lots within a 4-5 minute walking radius of the Plaza. The average Market customer spends 30-40 minutes at Market, allowing for an ebb and flow of parking availability. (In 2023, Saturday market averaged 1500 customers/market day). We hope that our customers take the opportunity to park and explore businesses along the Elm Avenue corridor - including OTB Cyclery, Brotherwell Brewing, Street Dog Cafe, Marilyn’s Gift Gallery, Revival Eastside Eatery, and the East Waco Library. (View: suggested parking spots.)
Vendors will be encouraged to park in adjacent areas, without taking prime parking away from customers. While the Courthouse parking lot provides access to larger downtown parking lots, more neighboring lots are becoming privatized in the downtown corridor.
Will there be ADA accessible parking?
We are working with Mobilize Waco to develop creative solutions for ADA accessibility. We’ll pilot a few ADA parking plans during the Fall 24 Season of the Wednesday Night Market and appreciate feedback on spaces provided.
Can I walk from downtown?
Yes! The Suspension Bridge safely connects the two sides of the river, including a protected pedestrian crosswalk on MLK. Wacoans are encouraged to park on the downtown side of the river and walk the 3 blocks to the Bridge Street Plaza or enjoy a bike ride along the river before heading to Market. According to the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization, 24% of all car trips in Waco are less than a mile in distance. We see our new location as an opportunity to encourage more movement for our Waco community - one block at a time. (View: suggested pedestrian parking.)
Will there be places to sit and eat?
Yes! COW Parks and Recreation has provided picnic tables at the Plaza so customers don’t need to sit on broken down curbs in the Courthouse Parking lot to eat their food. We also encourage customers to bring picnic blankets and camp chairs for enjoying entertainment at the Plaza.
Will there be shade?
Market staff is talking with Parks and Recreation about a long term solution for shade structures at the Plaza. We are grateful for the opportunity to make infrastructure improvements to the Plaza that we are not able to fix in the Courthouse location.
Is the Bridge Street Plaza safe for my family?
We believe the Plaza lawn provides a safer location for our children and pets to explore than busy downtown intersections surrounding the Courthouse parking lot. Bollards will be in place during Market hours, preventing vehicles from driving the Market space. The City of Waco has invested in the safety and infrastructure of the Bridge Street Plaza, along with improving sidewalks, roads and lighting along the Elm Avenue corridor.
How will you partner with the neighborhood and other community organizations?
WDFM currently partners with the North East Riverside Neighborhood Association, National Women in Agriculture Association, and the CenTex African American Chamber of Commerce for the Wednesday Night Market. We are excited to expand these partnerships and utilize the additional space and stage at the Plaza for larger community engagement. On November 6th, WDFM is partnering with the Asian Leaders Network for a community-wide Diwali Festival. Stay tuned for more upcoming events!
How will tourists find us?
The Bridge Street Plaza neighbors three brand new hotels in East Waco (Cambria, Even Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express) and is across the river from two more hotels (Hilton and Courtyard Marriott). Tourists will be able to walk out the door of their hotel and access the Market before exploring Waco’s other highlights. In 2023, we have data that told us tourists seek out the WDFM before continuing on to Magnolia, Baylor Admissions, and other destinations. WDFM will launch a marketing plan two months prior to the move across various media platforms - promoting the new location to both Wacoans and visitors.
Can I take my dog/cat/monkey?
Yes. Please keep all pets on a leash and clean up after them. The Bridge Street Plaza has a large grassy lawn as well as a doggie clean up station, much better for pet paws than the Courthouse parking lot.
Vendor Logistics: What will be the process of setting up/tearing down my booth?
Market staff is currently working through Market day flow and will host a vendor meeting prior to the launch of the move, coupled with email communication explaining set up and tear down processes. Vendors will unload products and supplies and promptly remove their vehicle from the site plan. Market staff will take into consideration vendors needing special accommodations inside of the site plan (electricity, generators, trailer parking, resupplying). Market staff have visited other farmers markets with similar site plans and locations to inform logistics.
How will the new location be promoted?
Starting in January 2025, WDFM will launch a marketing campaign promoting the move while highlighting Waco-based agricultural producers and food access programs at our two Markets.
Will there be indoor bathroom facilities?
WDFM will continue to provide portapotties and handwashing stations on Market days.
Can I use my food stamps at the new Market location?
Yes! SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program will all continue at the Bridge Street Plaza location. Visit our website for more information about WDFM’s Food Access Programs.