C
ody Powell, a Brentwood Commercial real‑estate broker, recently rallied Waco residents on Facebook to support a Trader Joe’s opening in the former Big Lots building in Richland Hills. His client had just bought the property and proposed the grocery chain as a tenant. Powell filmed a short clip urging locals to “make your voice heard,” and the response was swift: the video has already attracted more than 45,000 views and 500 supportive comments.

    The nearest Trader Joe’s locations are in Dallas and Austin, roughly an hour and a half away. Yet Baylor students Julia Lampard and Lindsey Johnson expressed enthusiasm for a local store, noting that many students already drive to Dallas for the brand and that Waco’s growing population, steady influx of college students, and rising tourism could sustain a new outlet.

    Powell cautions that Trader Joe’s is very selective about site selection, weighing population, traffic, parking, and other demographics. He hopes that by compiling community support and presenting it to corporate, the chain will see Waco’s value. He invites further comments on his post and encourages residents to complete the official request form linked in the video.

    The building’s footprint exceeds a typical Trader Joe’s, so Powell suggests the space could be divided, and he seeks public input on other potential tenants for the remaining area. For updates, follow Powell on Facebook. © 2025 KWTX. All rights reserved.