WACO, Texas — A TV duo has combined their passion for design with their professional expertise as “fixer uppers” to create a new attraction in central Texas.

The stars of the hit HGTV television show “Fixer Upper”, Chip and Joanna Gaines, have opened their newest creation, Magnolia Market, in the heart of the city they love, and it is obvious by talking with Joanna Gaines it is indeed a labor of love for them both.

Gaines shared a behind-the-scenes look Thursday at the old warehouse and silo that have been transformed into a chic, new retail and entertainment complex the couple has created in the former cotton oil mill in downtown Waco, Texas. The new retail outlet celebrates its official grand opening Oct. 30 and 31 with a two-day event featuring music, food trucks and, of course, shopping. The “soft” opening of the store Oct. 12 told the couple they’ve created a perfect replacement for their original shop.

“We didn’t say a thing about it,” Gaines said. “All day people flooded in. We were just completely humbled by it.”

The new location sports the original “Magnolia” sign, created by husband Chip Gaines in 2003, as part of the decor in front of the twin silos on the property. A newer design of the logo adorns the front of the new retail space.

The couple worked hard on converting the vacant mill into the retail space it is today, yet still maintaining some of the look and feel of the original structure.

Gaines, whose design skills make the perfect companion to her husband’s building and real estate background, said her inspiration centers around her love of home.

“For me, I really want home to be a comfortable place,” she said. “I always try to balance the idea of pretty and practical.”

Gaines said she hopes people get inspired by the displays and the choice of products they have in the store.

“More than just the products, I’m really big about the experience when they walk in,” Gaines said. “I really want them to sense that this is different from your typical retail shop.”

The new marketplace has her touch in virtually every display on the floor — displays she arranges herself at night after a busy workday that sometimes includes taping their TV show. She personally picks out the items they’ll display.

“I love doing the displays. That’s my creative outlet,” Gaines said. “I love creating spaces.”

Or at least, most of the items — except for the ones in “Chip’s Corner,” where her husband has been granted a small space all his own.

“He’s got some fun pieces back there,” Gaines said. “When guys come here with their wives or their girlfriends, they at least have a spot to go to.”

Just off the main retail floor a showroom for her new furniture line is being built, possibly targeting a January or February opening. The fall launch of the furniture collection, sold through the Magnolia website, featured 350 pieces. She said the full line will eventually be on display in the new space.

Other features of the Magnolia Market include a large area covered in artificial turf almost park-like in appearance — a space that will serve as a place for family gatherings, and eventually concerts held adjacent to the twin silos.

“I want it to be a fun experience,” Gaines said. “I didn’t want it just to be ‘come and shop, buy a candle,’ I wanted it to be ‘come, hang out, have a picnic on the lawn, throw a Frisbee around with the kiddos,” she said.

Gaines teased a theme in upcoming episodes of their TV show that they have already started taping for the new season — a peek at some of their personal projects.

“I think the fun part of that is it will be taking our viewers along this journey with us, whether it be this grain barn or the silos,” Gaines said. “I think in every season you’ll see us working on something that we’re doing personally.”

Belcher writes for the Corsicana (Texas) Daily Sun.