In a fast-moving world of mass production and synthetic fixes, three Waco small businesses — Penelope Pickers Vintage, Cottontail Jones and Granddaddy Willow — are choosing a more mindful path. Centered on sustainability, healing and the power of community, these businesses also highlight the value of recycled and resold goods, encouraging customers to reconnect with the earth, their well-being and more intentional ways of living.
Browsing: Waco business
Baylor Flowers, which was previously located at a shopping center on the corner of 16th St. and Speight Ave., now resides on the corner of 11th St. and La Salle Ave. in its new permanent location.
On March 22, Kaptive Kandles will host “The Experience,” an event where attendees can immerse themselves in the art of candle making for $35. Open to participants ages 10 and up, the event invites the community to explore the craft in a welcoming, interactive setting.
Beyond making custom cookies, Keith also enjoys sharing her craft through cookie decorating workshops. She hosted classes in January and February and has another planned for April 12 at McLennan Community College from 10 a.m. to noon for $69.
Tucked in a little shopping area on 25th St. and Washington Ave. lies The Carpenter’s Daughter, which opened in October 2024. It is run by an owner who thrives off her community and enthusiasm for her small business.
“We have two different types of people,” Storer said. “We have people who have never surfed before but want to get better at surfing, and then those who have surfed before and want to just keep doing it.”
“People want to die doing something they really enjoy,” Wilfong said. “If you’re going to go out, go out doing something you really enjoy. And I tell my students every semester, it’s like my way of going out; I want to be in front of a class lecturing and going on a rant about Dr Oz and his nutrition.”
In addition to a rise in tourism, funds like the Cen-Tex Minority Business Equity Fund allow for the growth of minority businesses in Waco. The fund benefits minority business owners and allows them to gain access to capital that kickstarts their businesses.
“The construction project included reconstruction of everything in the right-of-way on Elm Avenue from MLK Boulevard to Spring Street,” a City of Waco statement reads. “Improvements included sidewalk, streetscape, drainage, waterline, and accessibility updates. New pedestrian lighting as well as landscaping were also added.”