Downtown Depot: David Ridley
In this segment: interview with David Ridley of Waco Tours (3:18). Also, a look at Waco Wonderland's event this weekend (1:10) and a chat about the newly-reopened boutique Wildland Supply Co. (2:05).
hoto by Austin Meek/Waco Business News
"I really wasn't expecting that [Waco Tours] would take off as it has."
"I started this company and was like 'Man, I really want to put all of my effort into this.'"
"After the show aired, all these people were coming to Waco and wanted to see what the town was about."
"We talk about the good and the bad, we give a really holistic view."
"People aren't aware that Waco was on the map to be the capital of Texas, [before the 1950s tornado] we were on pace to become as big as Dallas or Houston."
"There's a lot of favor in Waco. A lot of entrepreneurs that are taking risks here and planting their families here."
"What I'm loving in Waco is that, yeah, bad things happen in cities, but I'm loving watching Waco respond."
Mentioned in this episode: The Magnolia Market Silos, Common Grounds, Heritage Creamery, McLane Stadium at Baylor University, Baylor University, Cameron Park Hike And Bike Trails, 1 Million Cups Waco, BlueSky Helicopter Tours, Silo Baking Co. at Magnolia Market, d'Vine Destinations, Dave's Burger Barn, Club Sandwich, Martinez Tamales Tamales, Mad Hasher Waco, Pokey O's Waco, Bluebonnet Health Services Hospice, Cheddar Box, Skittles, Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute, Snickers, Mars Chocolate North America - Waco, TX, Waco Hippodrome, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Mayborn Museum Complex, The Findery, Dancing Bear Pub, Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, Hey Sugar Candy Waco, Pinewood Roasters, Lula Jane's, Spice Village
Known as Waco's "Most Eligible Bachelor" thanks to his stint on HGTV's famous Fixer Upper, now in its fourth season, David Ridley is a traveler who started off in Plano, TX. Gaining notoriety locally and nationally from the show, Ridley realized that there was untapped potential in the tourism industry--people came to Waco for Magnolia, and he and his business partners (Luke and Rachel Whyte) knew that Waco's hidden gems should be shown off as well! David is an avid bass fisherman and the President of Legacy Outfitters Bass Club. When he isn't welcoming visitors to Waco, he works in marketing at Bluebonnet Health Services. He is also very involved in his local church.