If you’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s it would be difficult to completely express the experience. They vary in size but each redefines the American freeway “one-stop-shop” moniker. This southern USA icon has a unique and interesting history, growing from a small Texas convenience store into a popular chain known for its massive size, clean restrooms, and wide range of products.
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek. Aplin, whose nickname “Beaver” inspired the store’s mascot, combined his entrepreneurial spirit with Wasek’s experience in business. The first Buc-ee’s location was opened in Lake Jackson, Texas. It was a modest convenience store with a focus on customer service and cleanliness, elements that would become core to the brand’s identity. In the early 2000s, Buc-ee’s began opening larger stores. These new locations featured extensive food options, gift shops, and dozens of gas pumps. One of the most notable was the New Braunfels, Texas location, which opened in 2012 and is one of the largest convenience stores in the world at over 68,000 square feet.
Buc-ee’s opened its first location outside Texas in 2019 in Robertsdale, Alabama. This marked the beginning of a new phase of expansion into other states including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. There are currently plans to further expand into Virginia, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Colorado. On our recent trip from Fort Myers, Florida to visit friends in Tennessee we had the opportunity to visit each the Adairsville and Fort Valley stores in Georgia. The first thing that gets your attention are the sheer number of gas pumps. The Fort Valley location has 92 gas/diesel pumps alone. Unlike the Kenly 95 Truckstop in North Carolina, Buc-ee’s only serves passenger vehicles . . . no 18-wheelers.
Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the unrivaled size for a roadside “pit-stop”. The second feature is the wide range of things from which to choose. Buc-ee’s is renowned for its extensive selection of fresh food, including brisket sandwiches, kolaches, and their famous beaver nuggets. Their homemade fudge and jerky selection are also popular. They have a large assortment of travel essentials, snacks, drinks, and personal care items. You can find unique regional products, souvenirs, and gifts that you might not see at other convenience stores or gas stations.
What is Buc-ee’s . . . it’s in their branding. It starts with the creative and playful billboards scattered along the freeways teasing the commuters much like I-95’s infamous South of the Border. The Buc-ee’s sign can usually be seen well before the exit as well as the massive parking lot. In the store there is no end to the Buc-ee’s labeled products from their famous jerky and fudge to clothes, blankets, stuffed animals, camping gear, candy and even neck pillows for travel.
The stores are always immaculate with clean (and huge) bathrooms and helpful and pleasant staff. The stores themselves are spacious, well-organized, and designed to handle a high volume of customers without feeling crowded. From the friendly beaver mascot to the expansive product selection, shopping at Buc-ee’s can be fun and memorable.
Do you have a favorite truck or roadside stop? We’d love to hear all about it!
