By Josh Siatkowski | Lead Writer
Common Grounds, a favorite spot for Baylor and Waco coffee fans, is in the early stages of an ownership transition after the business went up for sale last week.
Opened in 1994, the shop has become a local icon. Started by Jill Barrett over 30 years ago, Blake Batson and his wife Kimberley — both Baylor alumni — acquired the business in 2012. Since then, they have expanded the original store on 8th Street to four locations in McLennan County: one in the Bill Daniel Student Center, one on Franklin Ave and another in Woodway.
While ownership changes, the Batsons are hoping to keep the business’ identity intact. At the time of publication, Batson did not respond to requests for comment, but The Waco Buzz reported that he said he’ll value stewardship over sale price when considering the next owner.
Common Grounds posted an online application form directed toward potential buyers last week. It lists several questions about connection to the store and its community, like if they are Baylor alumni, if they have a relationship with Common Grounds and what their vision is for the future of the business.
For its customers, stewarding Common Grounds’ unique identity is equally important. Tracy Dulock, a Robinson resident who has frequented the store for the last 15 years on morning walks with her dogs, said she didn’t know about the sale but hopes that nothing changes.
“I love it the way it is,” she said. “It’s very relaxed; it’s very friendly. Everybody who’s ever worked here is always welcoming.”
While the buyer doesn’t have to be a Wacoan like the Batson’s — who are also partners in Slow Rise Pizza, Milo, Nightlight Donuts and Fabled Bookstore — Dulock hopes they bring the same attitude.
“I think the main thing is they just appreciate the quality of what they have here,” Dulock said. “I think it would be nice if it was somebody who’s connected to Waco or Baylor, but as long as somebody came in and respected the traditions, I think that would be great.”
Students echoed the desire to keep Common Grounds as-is after the sale. Woodlands senior Berkley Gil said she loved the homey feel and kind staff, and she hopes the next owner has the same passion for the coffee shop’s hometown.
“To be affiliated with Baylor, I feel like that doesn’t really matter to me,” Gil said. “But loving Waco, being based around Waco, I feel like that’s important.”
The Woodlands freshman Avery Leslie also said she wanted Common Grounds to keep its connection to Baylor, since the shop already has a location on-campus and partners with Baylor during Line Camp.
“I think it would be really cool if [the new owner] had been really involved in Baylor, or at least had some Baylor pride,” she said. “I think that makes it more special, especially being right off campus.”
The form also asks about anticipated transaction logistics, including willingness to “pursue an acquisition in the $2 million to $3 million range.” It further specifies that the deal includes both Common Grounds Coffee and Native Sons Coffee Roasters, Common Grounds’ roastery. Heritage Creamery, also owned by the Batsons, is listed as a possible add-on to the transaction.
A timeline for the sale has not been confirmed, but the form offers options ranging from immediate to the next 12 months.
The transaction comes as Common Grounds’ fifth location in Fort Worth shut its doors last month, as reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The expansion opened six years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic with investment from co-owner Trey Lumley, and with its closure, Common Grounds is back to being only in the Waco area.
