“Hewitt boasts the sought-after and laid-back community lifestyle that many Texans desire.” Austin Early, the Membership and Social Media Coordinator for the Hewitt Chamber of Commerce says three things make this Central Texas town “uniquely Hewitt.”
1. Access
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Hewitt’s proximity to Waco and its location smack dab between Austin and Dallas/Ft. Worth make it an ideal landing spot for visitors and the perfect forever home for its current 15,019 residents.
Other nearby sights include Cameron Park Zoo, the Mayborn Museum, McLane Stadium (home of the Baylor Bears), golf courses, a revitalized downtown area, and a waterpark all within a 10-minute drive north on Interstate 35 in Waco.
2. Opportunity
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Add state-of-the-art community parks and facilities, their award-winning Midway School District, and top it off with their newest accomplishment of being named one of “Texas’s 50 Safest Cities” by Safewise in 2021, and Hewitt becomes much more than a tourist destination. A few short years ago, Hewitt was named on the shortlist of “Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine and ranked #1 for “Most Affordable Place to Live in the Nation,” as well.
This small town has grown a lot in recent years. “Hewitt has great potential for growth and development.” And it’s “a major location of interest for both residential and commercial real estate.” But don’t worry, they are being smart about it. “Residents should take comfort in the city’s plans to implement development slowly and strategically, as to not stress the existing infrastructure or sacrifice the lifestyle that makes Hewitt great,” Austin says.
3. An Attractive Lifestyle
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Hewitt maintains its small-town vibe with family-focused community events and celebrations. The city’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has grown so much that they had to relocate it to a local park to allow for more space while their Halloween Spooktacular boasts a costume contest, food trucks and, of course, trick or treating.
Each year in June, the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce hosts the Nacho Daddy Car/Motorcycle Show & Concert, a showcase of cars—both old and new—artisans, food trucks, live music and more. A portion of the event proceeds benefit Hunger Free MISD, a program that sends backpacks of nutritious food home during weekends and school holidays to ensure no child within the district goes hungry when school is not in session. The city’s annual golf tournament benefits the Greater Hewitt Chamber Scholarship Fund, as well as community development.
Opening in 2015 just a few minutes up to the road, Magnolia Market at the Silos, continues to be a centerpiece of the area as well as a welcome getaway for both locals and tourists alike. Owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” fame, this unique entertainment and shopping venue has brought millions of visitors to the area. The site is still growing and now includes six welcoming cottages, each boasting its own themed décor and items readily available to take home. To add to your unique experience, most items can only be found on site in Waco and are not available online. Visitors may also take a moment and reflect in The Old Church, built in 1894. It’s one of the oldest structures in Waco and was relocated to the Silos to preserve its heritage and history. Hungry? Eat at one of the numerous food trucks who call the complex home, or head over to Magnolia Table, the Gaines’ nearby restaurant, offering feel-good food complete with Joanna’s design touches, creating a warm, at-home atmosphere. Don’t forget to grab a cookie from Silos Baking Co. or a latte at Silo Press before you leave!
Suburban. Down-home. Cozy. These are just a few of the words you could use to describe this Central Texas town. With a big heart and big-city dreams located even closer to big-city amenities, Hewitt makes the perfect stop on the map, whether for a brief stay or for a lifetime.