For many Wacoans and central Texans, Goldstein-Migel is a household name. The original Goldstein-Migel Co. began as a premier department store in downtown Waco, Texas during the late nineteenth century. The store had an inventory of fine clothing, jewelry/accessories, furniture and operated with intimate, small-town service and charm. Due to the suburbanization and urban sprawl movements after World War II, Goldstein-Migel opened a second store location inside of the Lake Air Mall. The mall was located at the corner of Lake Air Drive and Bosque Boulevard in the Mountainview area suburbs. The original downtown location was demolished in 1984 when urban revitalization efforts failed to draw consumers to the downtown cityscape. The Lake Air Mall location remained open until 2002 when economic downfall led to the company’s final closure. While the Lake Air Mall corridor was demolished and converted into a Target store, the original walls and space of the Goldstein-Migel store remain intact and rehabilitated as the West Waco Library and Genealogy Center. Goldstein-Migel remains as a memory for many Wacoans and an icon in the city’s early, bourgeoning history.

Growing up in Waco, Mr. Norwid was always fascinated with both present and past buildings in Texas and throughout the nation. The fascination and borderline obsession eventually led to his graduation from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in History in 2019 and Tulane University with a Master’s in Preservation Studies in 2021. He subsequently served as an environmental consultant, specializing in architectural history, at several cultural resource management companies before starting his own venture. When debating on what to brand his new business, Mr. Norwid decided to designate it by the childhood memory that sparked his architectural and historical interests—Goldstein-Migel.

At Goldstein-Migel, we can help assist you in title abstraction and the Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) regulatory process. Also, due to the high demand nostalgia in clothing and replicated memorabilia, check out our personal merchandise as well!