That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

I'm not sure that would be a good location for a Trader Joe's either, but I imagine the lease / sale price would be pretty attractive.

The agent is probably just doing his job and shaking the trees to stir up any interest he can. Good for him. Some agents, sadly, just List / Sit / Wait.

I've been driving through downtown, Franklin Avenue, and several strip centers lately with a keen eye for vacant real estate. Man, there's a bunch out there right now.

I shake my head when I realize what some folks are paying in property taxes on their vacant properties. That can't be pleasant.

cowboycwr said:

---

That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

---

When I see a building that keeps on having businesses go out of business I make a mental note that something is wrong with the location. About 25 years ago a strip center went in close to where I grew up. There have been six restaurants there go out of business and the current one is about there. It has been unoccupied half the time too. You have to be stupid to open a restaurant in that space.

I agree that people will have to make a trip to it. Then again it doesn't take long to usually get to places in Waco, and my wife makes me go with her to Trader Joe's in Austin every once in a while. I guess I could survive the 15 minute trip if there, but I doubt my wallet would.

RightRevBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

---

When I see a building that keeps on having businesses go out of business I make a mental note that something is wrong with the location. About 25 years ago a strip center went in close to where I grew up. There have been six restaurants there go out of business and the current one is about there. It has been unoccupied half the time too. You have to be stupid to open a restaurant in that space.

I agree that people will have to make a trip to it. Then again it doesn't take long to usually get to places in Waco, and my wife makes me go with her to Trader Joe's in Austin every once in a while. I guess I could survive the 15 minute trip if there, but I doubt my wallet would.

---

Good point. If it hasn't worked for other stores or restaurants it probably won't work for the next one due to location.

I feel like this has happened with several locations in Waco and national chains. They move into a new market (Waco) but don't do good research and pick bad locations.

Some examples I can think of: (and this is not me saying I like the places or not)

Potbelly's- bad location for a quick sandwich shop
Dickeys- they are still open I think but that end of valley mills isn't good and my understanding is they struggle at times and corporate has not been very happy with the production of that store.
Quaker state or whatever it was called in Legends crossing
Applebees
Walk ons
That one that was in the old Lake Brazos Steakhouse


I'm sure there are plenty of others but I can't think of them right now but many of the above were bad locations or became bad locations as the growth happened along 35 and not valley mills.

cowboycwr said:

---

RightRevBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

---

When I see a building that keeps on having businesses go out of business I make a mental note that something is wrong with the location. About 25 years ago a strip center went in close to where I grew up. There have been six restaurants there go out of business and the current one is about there. It has been unoccupied half the time too. You have to be stupid to open a restaurant in that space.

I agree that people will have to make a trip to it. Then again it doesn't take long to usually get to places in Waco, and my wife makes me go with her to Trader Joe's in Austin every once in a while. I guess I could survive the 15 minute trip if there, but I doubt my wallet would.

---

Good point. If it hasn't worked for other stores or restaurants it probably won't work for the next one due to location.

I feel like this has happened with several locations in Waco and national chains. They move into a new market (Waco) but don't do good research and pick bad locations.

Some examples I can think of: (and this is not me saying I like the places or not)

Potbelly's- bad location for a quick sandwich shop
Dickeys- they are still open I think but that end of valley mills isn't good and my understanding is they struggle at times and corporate has not been very happy with the production of that store.
Quaker state or whatever it was called in Legends crossing
Applebees
Walk ons
That one that was in the old Lake Brazos Steakhouse


I'm sure there are plenty of others but I can't think of them right now but many of the above were bad locations or became bad locations as the growth happened along 35 and not valley mills.

---

the lake brazos steak house now has slow rise in that property and it is constantly packed.

People go to dumb locations for good stuff. Helbergs and Tejun are examples.

So many chain restraunts all over waco that are just mid quality food and service at best. Those are going to fail. There are a couple that have mid food but great bar sales and that keeps them open

There are 2000+ rooftops planned for the 84 corridor in the next few years. It would make the most demographic sense to locate out there (even at higher rent).

FlyinDubGreenGold said:

---

Trader Joe's is not yet sold on the Waco market. They have reviewed locations of interest and this is not one that would be in their top 5.

This was simply a good social media campaign by a real estate agent with an empty box to fill.

---

Long way away from Trader Joe's coming to Waco.

4th and Inches said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

RightRevBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

---

When I see a building that keeps on having businesses go out of business I make a mental note that something is wrong with the location. About 25 years ago a strip center went in close to where I grew up. There have been six restaurants there go out of business and the current one is about there. It has been unoccupied half the time too. You have to be stupid to open a restaurant in that space.

I agree that people will have to make a trip to it. Then again it doesn't take long to usually get to places in Waco, and my wife makes me go with her to Trader Joe's in Austin every once in a while. I guess I could survive the 15 minute trip if there, but I doubt my wallet would.

---

Good point. If it hasn't worked for other stores or restaurants it probably won't work for the next one due to location.

I feel like this has happened with several locations in Waco and national chains. They move into a new market (Waco) but don't do good research and pick bad locations.

Some examples I can think of: (and this is not me saying I like the places or not)

Potbelly's- bad location for a quick sandwich shop
Dickeys- they are still open I think but that end of valley mills isn't good and my understanding is they struggle at times and corporate has not been very happy with the production of that store.
Quaker state or whatever it was called in Legends crossing
Applebees
Walk ons
That one that was in the old Lake Brazos Steakhouse


I'm sure there are plenty of others but I can't think of them right now but many of the above were bad locations or became bad locations as the growth happened along 35 and not valley mills.

---

the lake brazos steak house now has slow rise in that property and it is constantly packed.

People go to dumb locations for good stuff. Helbergs and Tejun are examples.

So many chain restraunts all over waco that are just mid quality food and service at best. Those are going to fail. There are a couple that have mid food but great bar sales and that keeps them open

---

I hear that about slow rise but the few times I have been it has been dead. Wait staff standing around, a few cars there, and maybe 5 total people inside.

I think people will go out of the way for local favs or really good chains. I don't think they will go out of their way to a small store in a hard to get to location but maybe I am wrong.

I would think putting it right along the frontage road by the new theater, legacy crossing, CTM, or on the north bound side as it develops is the way to go.

Look out for that NW corner of the 35/ 340 interchange.

That and the interchange at Hewitt Drive and 35 will be the next two huge growth areas in South Waco.

Anyone who thinks that Waco Drive site is anywhere near adequate for Trader Joe's parking has never been to a Trader Joe's.

cowboycwr said:

---

4th and Inches said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

RightRevBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

That seems to be the question a local real estate agent is seeking answers to. Apparently he works for the agency that represents the new owner of the old Big Lots store (or old circuit city for old timers).

To me that does not seem like a good location for much of anything. Too out of the way for the majority of Waco and not near the major growth. To me it seems like people would have to make a trip there specifically for that and it would miss out on any interstate traffic.



https://www.kwtx.com/2025/09/29/trader-joes-waco-real-estate-agent-looks-old-big-lots-building/

---

When I see a building that keeps on having businesses go out of business I make a mental note that something is wrong with the location. About 25 years ago a strip center went in close to where I grew up. There have been six restaurants there go out of business and the current one is about there. It has been unoccupied half the time too. You have to be stupid to open a restaurant in that space.

I agree that people will have to make a trip to it. Then again it doesn't take long to usually get to places in Waco, and my wife makes me go with her to Trader Joe's in Austin every once in a while. I guess I could survive the 15 minute trip if there, but I doubt my wallet would.

---

Good point. If it hasn't worked for other stores or restaurants it probably won't work for the next one due to location.

I feel like this has happened with several locations in Waco and national chains. They move into a new market (Waco) but don't do good research and pick bad locations.

Some examples I can think of: (and this is not me saying I like the places or not)

Potbelly's- bad location for a quick sandwich shop
Dickeys- they are still open I think but that end of valley mills isn't good and my understanding is they struggle at times and corporate has not been very happy with the production of that store.
Quaker state or whatever it was called in Legends crossing
Applebees
Walk ons
That one that was in the old Lake Brazos Steakhouse


I'm sure there are plenty of others but I can't think of them right now but many of the above were bad locations or became bad locations as the growth happened along 35 and not valley mills.

---

the lake brazos steak house now has slow rise in that property and it is constantly packed.

People go to dumb locations for good stuff. Helbergs and Tejun are examples.

So many chain restraunts all over waco that are just mid quality food and service at best. Those are going to fail. There are a couple that have mid food but great bar sales and that keeps them open

---

I hear that about slow rise but the few times I have been it has been dead. Wait staff standing around, a few cars there, and maybe 5 total people inside.

---

Weird. Place has been busy to packed every time I've been, and anytime I drive by near meal time there seem to be plenty of cars.