Waco Wordsmith

Waco Wordsmith opened in 2017 as downtown Waco was experiencing a tourism boom that brought national attention to a city long overshadowed by its larger Texas neighbors. The store smartly serves both the visitors drawn to Waco's revitalized silos district and the permanent community anchored by Baylor University, with a selection that bridges mainstream appeal and local depth. The faith and spirituality section reflects Waco's identity as a city of churches and the home of the nation's largest Baptist university, with titles spanning theology, devotional reading, and spiritual memoir. The home design section capitalizes on the city's association with farmhouse renovation culture, offering a curated collection of interior design, DIY, and Texas homesteading books. The Texas history section goes deep on Central Texas, from the Waco Indians who gave the city its name to the cotton boom that built its Victorian mansions. The cafe serves Dr Pepper floats, honoring the soft drink that was invented in Waco in 1885, alongside artisan coffee and house-baked goods.