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Buc-ees outside of Texas.

Started by roadman65, June 07, 2019, 10:37:37 PM

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SSOWorld

Well some may call a garage a car port.
Scott O.

Not all who wander are lost...
Ah, the open skies, wind at my back, warm sun on my... wait, where the hell am I?!
As a matter of fact, I do own the road.
Raise your what?

Wisconsin - out-multiplexing your state since 1918.


Max Rockatansky

Garage?  Well ooh la di dah Mr. Frenchman.

Bobby5280

#302
Quote from: Scott5114I think it's hilarious that, once Kansas City KS gets built, they just need New Mexico and then they'll have every state that borders Oklahoma but not Oklahoma itself.

Supposedly Buc-ee's people are scouting potential locations in Oklahoma. But the backlog of other locations I listed earlier probably won't be finished for another 4-6 years. If an Oklahoma location was announced there might be some hope it could get fast-tracked. The Buc-ee's location recently announced North of Colorado Springs (and approved by the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees a few days ago) will probably start construction early in 2025.

Still, I get it. For a long time I figured the guy who runs Buc-ee's (an alum of Texas A&M) had a personal hatred for Oklahoma. The super stores are getting built in all sorts of other places around the nation. But nothing in Oklahoma. And that's despite OKC being at a virtual center point of the Interstate highway system. I think a Buc-ee's store along I-44/I-35 near Frontier City would do huge business.

I still think I'm on to something about Buc-ee's stores and toll roads. None of the existing locations are next to toll-only super highways. Only Interstates with tolled express lanes are any exception. None of the proposed locations are next to any toll roads. If Buc-ee's did build one of more locations in Oklahoma chances are they would be along I-40 or I-35.

roadman65

Mississippi is getting one on I-10 in Harrison County in 2025.  I read it in an article that it was to open already, but construction nearby is delaying it.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

Bobby5280

Quote from: roadman65Mississippi is getting one on I-10 in Harrison County in 2025.

That would have to be the location North of Past Christian at I-10 Exit 24. That Buc-ee's location is already well along in construction (visible in 5/19/2024 Google Earth imagery). The super store will open in 2025. The freeway exit there on I-10 is also being re-built.

Elm

Re: 2nd Colorado Buc-ee's: A few of our local NIMBY groups are headlining a lawsuit against Palmer Lake over deeming the potential Buc-ee's site eligible for annexation. (KOAA article, but all the news outlets have a version).

The Town of Palmer Lake released this response.

Guess they'll throw up complaints at every stage of the process. This part is eligibility for annexation, Buc-ee's or not. Still to come are the actual annexation, development plan, etc.

Personally, while I like this site for myself, I agree with Bobby5280 that north Pueblo would be a good alternative if it falls through. There's a void between Pueblo and Colorado Springs with the Piñon rest stop and truck stop closed.

roadman65

Bucees needs to find places, for sure, not only in Colorado, but in other areas lacking services along interstates

I-49 in La and AR could use a couple where there are stretches without fuel.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

thenetwork

Quote from: Elm on January 13, 2025, 11:17:51 PMRe: 2nd Colorado Buc-ee's: A few of our local NIMBY groups are headlining a lawsuit against Palmer Lake over deeming the potential Buc-ee's site eligible for annexation. (KOAA article, but all the news outlets have a version).

The Town of Palmer Lake released this response.

Guess they'll throw up complaints at every stage of the process. This part is eligibility for annexation, Buc-ee's or not. Still to come are the actual annexation, development plan, etc.

Personally, while I like this site for myself, I agree with Bobby5280 that north Pueblo would be a good alternative if it falls through. There's a void between Pueblo and Colorado Springs with the Piñon rest stop and truck stop closed.

Meanwhile, on the north side of I-25 in Colorado, Buc-ee's was the likely the factor in the famous Johnson's Corners Restaurant closing this week.  Johnson's Corners was a go-to staple for travelers along I-25 North of Denver for over 50 years.  Buc-ee's opened up 3 miles up the freeway.

Bobby5280

I think the lawsuit these non-profits filed against the Town of Palmer Lake is nonsensical. The proposed super store location is next to a very busy segment of I-25 (3 lanes Northbound and 4 lanes Southbound going thru the exit). This is not some area where small town heritage or country living is at stake. The site is at the northern reaches of Colorado Springs, a fairly big city.

One of the non-profits claim to be concerned about fire related issues. But I guess they can look the other way at all the McMansions, country club and golf course being built in the Woodmoor neighborhood right across I-25. All that stuff is heavily invested with pine trees, all ready to go up in flames. Meanwhile the site of the proposed Buc-ee's is clear, wide open land.

The I-25 exit at Palmer Divide Road will probably have to be revamped for greater capacity. But that was going to need to happen anyway due to all the other commercial and residential development already taking place there. Again, that area is not a "small town." It's a suburb connected to the rest of the Colorado Springs metro.

Quote from: roadman65Bucees needs to find places, for sure, not only in Colorado, but in other areas lacking services along interstates

Buc-ee's seems to prefer building locations near major intersection points in the Interstate highway network or at locations where they believe they'll get the greatest number of people to stop. The exit off I-10 in Alabama going to Gulf Shores is one example. I think the only way they'll build a huge Buc-ee's store out in the middle of nowhere is if the location is along a major Interstate, little if any competition exists nearby and there is decent utilities infrastructure in place.

Thing 342

The first Buc-ee's in Virginia will be located off I-81 Exit 240 and is expected to open this summer.

The second location is planned to be located at I-64 Exit 211, it was initially planned to be the first to open, but will have to wait until I-64 widening and the reconstruction of the VA-106 bridge is complete in 2027.

The third planned location is in Stafford off of I-95 Exit 140.

sprjus4

Quote from: Thing 342 on January 16, 2025, 10:59:51 PMThe first Buc-ee's in Virginia will be located off I-81 Exit 240 and is expected to open this summer.

The second location is planned to be located at I-64 Exit 211, it was initially planned to be the first to open, but will have to wait until I-64 widening and the reconstruction of the VA-106 bridge is complete in 2027.

The third planned location is in Stafford off of I-95 Exit 140.
I'm curious what their bridge reconstruction plans at VA-106 and I-64 are. Because the I-64 widening plans simply show mainline widening to six lanes and no bridge modification. I imagine it's a separate project funded by Buc-ees. It already opens up to a 4 lane roadway to the north but the bridge itself is simply two lanes with no turn lanes, and a basic diamond interchange. Certainly needs an upgrade with the amount of traffic Buc-ee's will bring in.

Thing 342

Quote from: sprjus4 on January 17, 2025, 10:13:38 PM
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 16, 2025, 10:59:51 PMThe first Buc-ee's in Virginia will be located off I-81 Exit 240 and is expected to open this summer.

The second location is planned to be located at I-64 Exit 211, it was initially planned to be the first to open, but will have to wait until I-64 widening and the reconstruction of the VA-106 bridge is complete in 2027.

The third planned location is in Stafford off of I-95 Exit 140.
I'm curious what their bridge reconstruction plans at VA-106 and I-64 are. Because the I-64 widening plans simply show mainline widening to six lanes and no bridge modification. I imagine it's a separate project funded by Buc-ees. It already opens up to a 4 lane roadway to the north but the bridge itself is simply two lanes with no turn lanes, and a basic diamond interchange. Certainly needs an upgrade with the amount of traffic Buc-ee's will bring in.
This article from the Daily Press (might be paywalled) states that the intention (couldn't find any documentation of this on VDOT's web site) is to reconfigure the interchange to a DDI to support the new AutoZone distribution center and other industrial locations on the south side of I-64. I think this is intended to start after Phase A of the widening is completed in 2027, with Buc-ees opening with an "interim configuration" until a possible completion date in 2030.

https://www.dailypress.com/2024/05/07/buc-ees-still-plans-to-open-in-new-kent-in-2027/

Great Lakes Roads

https://fox47.com/news/local/with-deforest-location-delayed-buc-ees-turns-to-oak-creek

Oak Creek will become Wisconsin's first location for a Buc-ee's since the one in DeForest is delayed...

It will be located on the SW corner of I-94 and Elm Road interchange (exit 324).
-Jay Seaburg

Big John

Buc-ees planning "it's first Wisconsin store" in Oak Creek (just south of Milwaukee) at I-41/94and Elm Rd. No mention of the other "first Wisconsin Store" in DeForest.
https://fox11online.com/news/state/buc-ees-proposes-massive-travel-center-in-oak-creek-first-in-wisconsin-milwaukee-gas-pumps-station-elm-road-i-94#

thspfc

Quote from: Big John on January 23, 2025, 05:26:32 PMBuc-ees planning "it's first Wisconsin store" in Oak Creek (just south of Milwaukee) at I-41/94and Elm Rd. No mention of the other "first Wisconsin Store" in DeForest.
https://fox11online.com/news/state/buc-ees-proposes-massive-travel-center-in-oak-creek-first-in-wisconsin-milwaukee-gas-pumps-station-elm-road-i-94#
Really interesting that Buc-ees is targeting multiple Wisconsin locations before ever planning for Illinois. I tend to roll my eyes when people talk about how bad Chicago's economy is due to high taxes (#6 city in the world by GDP . . . ), but not sure why else Buc-ees would skip Chicagoland. Tolls I suppose, but that falls under taxes anyways.

TheHighwayMan3561

Quote from: thspfc on January 23, 2025, 06:02:57 PM
Quote from: Big John on January 23, 2025, 05:26:32 PMBuc-ees planning "it's first Wisconsin store" in Oak Creek (just south of Milwaukee) at I-41/94and Elm Rd. No mention of the other "first Wisconsin Store" in DeForest.
https://fox11online.com/news/state/buc-ees-proposes-massive-travel-center-in-oak-creek-first-in-wisconsin-milwaukee-gas-pumps-station-elm-road-i-94#
Really interesting that Buc-ees is targeting multiple Wisconsin locations before ever planning for Illinois. I tend to roll my eyes when people talk about how bad Chicago's economy is due to high taxes (#6 city in the world by GDP . . . ), but not sure why else Buc-ees would skip Chicagoland. Tolls I suppose, but that falls under taxes anyways.

Perception can be as much a driver of these decisions as reality. Kwik Trip has largely shied away from building locations in Milwaukee proper, with suggestions that property crime/theft is the real reason (they claim it's land acquisition issues).

I've noticed during Kwik Trip's major expansion, they've also avoided coming inside 494/694 in the Twin Cities to any real degree except for their North St. Paul location.
I make Poiponen look smart

jeffandnicole

Quote from: thspfc on January 23, 2025, 06:02:57 PM
Quote from: Big John on January 23, 2025, 05:26:32 PMBuc-ees planning "it's first Wisconsin store" in Oak Creek (just south of Milwaukee) at I-41/94and Elm Rd. No mention of the other "first Wisconsin Store" in DeForest.
https://fox11online.com/news/state/buc-ees-proposes-massive-travel-center-in-oak-creek-first-in-wisconsin-milwaukee-gas-pumps-station-elm-road-i-94#
Really interesting that Buc-ees is targeting multiple Wisconsin locations before ever planning for Illinois. I tend to roll my eyes when people talk about how bad Chicago's economy is due to high taxes (#6 city in the world by GDP . . . ), but not sure why else Buc-ees would skip Chicagoland. Tolls I suppose, but that falls under taxes anyways.

There's only about 50 Buc-ees spend the country, most in Texas. Outside of Texas they're very scattered. Not often found near cities anyway.

FightingIrish

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 23, 2025, 06:22:05 PM
Quote from: thspfc on January 23, 2025, 06:02:57 PM
Quote from: Big John on January 23, 2025, 05:26:32 PMBuc-ees planning "it's first Wisconsin store" in Oak Creek (just south of Milwaukee) at I-41/94and Elm Rd. No mention of the other "first Wisconsin Store" in DeForest.
https://fox11online.com/news/state/buc-ees-proposes-massive-travel-center-in-oak-creek-first-in-wisconsin-milwaukee-gas-pumps-station-elm-road-i-94#
Really interesting that Buc-ees is targeting multiple Wisconsin locations before ever planning for Illinois. I tend to roll my eyes when people talk about how bad Chicago's economy is due to high taxes (#6 city in the world by GDP . . . ), but not sure why else Buc-ees would skip Chicagoland. Tolls I suppose, but that falls under taxes anyways.

Perception can be as much a driver of these decisions as reality. Kwik Trip has largely shied away from building locations in Milwaukee proper, with suggestions that property crime/theft is the real reason (they claim it's land acquisition issues).

I've noticed during Kwik Trip's major expansion, they've also avoided coming inside 494/694 in the Twin Cities to any real degree except for their North St. Paul location.
First, there really isn't anywhere to build something like a Buc-ees along the Chicago area interstates. The Tri-State Tollway, for example, has very few. I guess the Oasis service areas do well. Notice that gas stations, truck stops and restaurants become very numerous starting at the Wisconsin side of the state line.

As for Kwik Trip, it is true that they do not have a single store in the Milwaukee city limits. I don't think it's all concerns about crime, though, as there are a few KTs strategically located at the city border, across the street from Milwaukee. I've heard one reason is related to city liquor laws, which would result in a radical reconstruction of their walk-in beer cooler concept.

Could also be the various zoning boards of Milwaukee and the surrounding suburbs. KT stores use a ton of land and draw lots of traffic. Obviously nobody wants to live too close to one.

Milwaukee County, in general, is a bit sparse on KT stores, with only Oak Creek,  Franklin, Hales Corners and West Allis having locations. But they have been expanding in the area, albeit very slowly.

Bobby5280

Quote from: thspfcReally interesting that Buc-ees is targeting multiple Wisconsin locations before ever planning for Illinois. I tend to roll my eyes when people talk about how bad Chicago's economy is due to high taxes (#6 city in the world by GDP . . . ), but not sure why else Buc-ees would skip Chicagoland. Tolls I suppose, but that falls under taxes anyways.

Up to this point no existing Buc-ee's locations or any others that are planned are next to toll-only super highways. I think the company has a policy of not building next to toll roads. If/when Buc-ee's finally builds a location in Oklahoma it will probably be along I-40 or I-35, but not I-44.

Quote from: jeffandnicoleThere's only about 50 Buc-ees spend the country, most in Texas. Outside of Texas they're very scattered. Not often found near cities anyway.

The super stores are often on the outskirts of major metro areas. The DFW region has 6 of them on its outskirts. In the case of the ones in Denton and Roanoke the metro's growth has overtaken those locations.

SSOWorld

Buc-ee's model is not c-store, it's tourist trap. Trying to flag down the passer-by who's not destined for home, but destined for parts-unknown.
Scott O.

Not all who wander are lost...
Ah, the open skies, wind at my back, warm sun on my... wait, where the hell am I?!
As a matter of fact, I do own the road.
Raise your what?

Wisconsin - out-multiplexing your state since 1918.

bugo


NWI_Irish96

Quote from: SSOWorld on January 27, 2025, 08:27:16 PMBuc-ee's model is not c-store, it's tourist trap. Trying to flag down the passer-by who's not destined for home, but destined for parts-unknown.

Yeah, when I'm on a road trip, I want to make my stops as short as possible, and when it's a 5 minute walk from the door to the bathroom, that's not it. We stopped at one in Texas when it was the first time we happened upon one, but I can live fine without ever going to one again.
Indiana: counties 100%, highways 100%
Illinois: counties 100%, highways 61%
Michigan: counties 100%, highways 56%
Wisconsin: counties 86%, highways 23%

Rothman

Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.


Rothman

Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.



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