With the grand opening of Sprouts Farmers Market and the news that TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack are coming soon, it feels like major retailers are finally putting their faith in the Waco market. For years, Waco has heard some version of the same question from national brands: Is the market big enough? Increasingly, the answer seems to be yes. But behind those new storefronts is a much bigger story about how Waco has worked to convince businesses that the city is ready for them — and, perhaps more importantly, how city leaders are deciding which businesses Waco is ready for.

Take a look inside Oklahoma’s most striking kitchens and baths, where bold ideas, beautiful materials and exceptional craftsmanship take center stage. Custom cabinetry, statement stone and sought-after brands from around the world give these spaces a distinctly elevated point of view.

Tucked away among mature trees and lush landscaping, this Woodway home unfolds in layers, with one space leading unexpectedly to another — a serene primary suite gives way to a meticulously designed gym, an upstairs family lounge opens to an expansive balcony, and hidden passages reveal even more places for an active family to gather, play and entertain. “It’s just kind of grown,” said Presley Cortez-Weedon, junior designer with Palmer Davis Designs, describing a home that has evolved to fit the family’s lifestyle.

On Austin Avenue, historic homes tell the story of Waco one porch, column, doorway and carefully preserved detail at a time — and Cathleen Scura’s 1920 Colonial Revival home is no exception. Built for Charlotte Hoehn, widow of prominent Waco businessman George Hoehn, the house was constructed by Herman F. Cason and featured in the 1926 publication Beautiful Waco. Four generations of the Hoehn family lived there before James and Barbara Clifton purchased the property in the 1980s.

A familiar scent has the remarkable ability to transport us. The smoky aroma of a fall bonfire.Fresh lavender drifting through an open window. Warm cinnamon and pumpkin filling a kitchen. Long before a candle is lit or a bar of soap is unwrapped, fragrance has the power to evoke memories, create comfort and set a mood. Across Oklahoma, a growing number of small-batch makers are turning that simple truth into thriving businesses, blending artistry, chemistry and entrepreneurship into products...

It was a leap of faith. At 25, Mordecai Gonzalez-Rodriguez left a stable job at Goodwill, where he spent his days helping others build resumes, apply for jobs and navigate career changes. His future was comfortable, but he wanted something different. He had been considering a career in the skilled trades, even though he had little mechanical experience and no formal technical training. Then he saw a flyer advertising a free workforce training program through Texas State Technical College’s The WorkSITE.

In a world of self-assembled bookshelves, disposable coffee tables and next-day furniture delivery, a growing number of people are choosing a different path: investing in handcrafted furniture. For consumers weary of replacing sagging sofas and wobbly dining sets that rarely survives a move, heirloom-quality craftsmanship offers an appealing alternative. While custom furniture often carries a higher price tag, advocates say the investment pays dividends in durability, beauty and longevity....

On a weeknight in Waco, the pop of a pickleball bounces off a paddle, the low thump of a basketball echoes and a burst of laughter rings out from somewhere near the sideline. One person sets down their drink while someone else arrives for a game where they don’t yet know they’ll stay for longer than expected. And after the friendly competition ends, hugs and high fives are given as plans are made to do it again soon.

As Oklahoma cities invest in dog parks and pet-friendly spaces, residents are finding new ways to build community alongside their four-legged companions.Tails are wagging across Oklahoma as dog parks are becoming an increasingly important part of community design, offering safe, social spaces for both pets and their owners. From Oklahoma City to Tulsa and beyond, cities are investing in new and upgraded dog-friendly amenities, as more residents view pets as part of the family and seek outdoor ga...

Tucked behind the gates of Tulsa’s coveted Trees addition, this storied estate on Columbia Circle stands as one of the city’s finest examples of timeless architecture and enduring craftsmanship. Designed in 1940 by celebrated architect John Duncan Forsyth for the prominent Howard Whitehill family, the stone-and-frame residence remains a landmark of elegance more than eight decades later. “With its stone construction and slate roof, this home really is over the top stunning,” says Peter Walter...

A true showstopper, this Disney-inspired home, recently featured on the Tulsa Parade of Homes tour, is more than a residence, it’s an experience. Spanning more than 11,000 square feet, the custom build blends high-end luxury with immersive, storybook design where nearly every space has its own personality. “The owner told me from the start of the project that because she is a multifaceted person, she wanted to build a home that reflects all those layers of her personality,” says Tulsa homebui...

In Tulsa’s coveted Forest Hills neighborhood, homebuilder Gant Hinkle has created a striking contemporary residence that blends bold design with deeply personal intention.Built in just under a year, the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home stands apart from traditional Tulsa architecture, offering a fresh, modern perspective rooted in craftsmanship and lifestyle. While his first personal build leaned toward broad market appeal, this home wa...

Tucked into one of Midtown Tulsa’s most desirable neighborhoods, this strikingly modern home is as much about its surroundings as it is its architecture. Perched within a dramatically terraced, tree-filled lot that slopes toward a creek, the residence was designed to feel both expansive and connected to nature. The project began as a teardown. After early consultations, architect Richard Winn, builder David Trebilcock and the homeowners determined the exi...

It feels as if no matter who you are, you can find your community in Waco — that little corner of our city that is your respite, your haven. Maybe it’s the family-friendly spaces like that welcome young readers to a weekly story time or the recently discovered special little picnic spot along the river. Or it’s the people that make an impact — the professors, the leaders, the voices we hear on the radio. Perhaps, even, it’s the little escapes we find like a cocktail class or an art fair. Evey year, we gather all these little spaces to share with you, our readers. It’s a glimpse into the diversity of Waco. From different professions, various walks of life, differing stages of life, our team and contributors bring just a handful of the reasons why we love Waco.

In a life shaped by cross-country moves, demanding jobs and a growing family, Shamira Chaney is calm, centered and optimistic. Chaney and her husband, former NFL linebacker and Baylor University linebacker coach Jamar Chaney, have four beautiful children — Rhaelyn, 12; Eli, 10; Leo, 5; and Teo, 3. Three of them are on the autism spectrum — a reality that has not only shaped her perspective, but inspired her to share her journey and how she’s learned to create stability, purpose and joy in the midst of constant change.

As student mental health needs continue to rise, school districts across Oklahoma are building more comprehensive systems to support students — recognizing that academic success depends on far more than what happens in the classroom. At Tulsa Public Schools, that work has been years in the making. The district has developed a layered approach that combines social-emotional learning, on-campus support and extensive community partnerships. “We sort of built that foundation of resiliency and...

For generations, libraries have been quiet cornerstones of their communities, places where shelves of books hold the promise of discovery. But in an era defined by an overhaul of digital infrastructure, libraries are being challenged to redefine their role.  Rather than fading away, many are evolving in creative ways, blending tradition with technology to remain essential gathering places for learning, connection and curiosity. From major urban systems to small-town branches, libraries are pr...

Like the long-awaited winds that allowed the Greek fleet to sail for Troy, a local playwright’s career-spanning work of theater will blow, sweep and surge onto the stage this month in a rare world premiere at McLennan Community College (MCC). “The Song of Iphigenia,” written by 20-year MCC English professor Nick Webb, is the culmination of a five-year writing process and a love of Greek tragedy that began during his college years in the late 1980s and ‘90s. Adapted from “The Oresteia,” a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies by Aeschylus, the play confronts ethical dilemmas and societal change, reflecting challenges that remain strikingly relevant today.

A cornerstone of 1980s suburban life, the mall was once a place for teenagers to hang out, parents to browse and where culture took shape under fluorescent lights. But these sprawling retail hubs now sit at the crossroads of nostalgia and necessity, and are being reimagined not only as places to shop, but also as places to gather and connect.

In an age of communities where neighbors often remain strangers, seasoned homebuilder Steve Sorrells is quietly reviving a lost art: the front porch. Designed not just as an architectural detail but as an invitation, Sorrells believes homes with porches on the street side — where conversations linger, children ride bikes until dusk and people know each others’ names, not just house numbers — bring back a sense of belonging that once defined American neighborhoods.