Buc-ees outside of Texas.

[sprjus4]

Wouldn't mind a few mega fuel+food stops in the Northwest, seeing as the few truck/travel centers we do have are dingy and overcrowded. Build some EV chargers and it's an instant winner.

The only Buc-ees I've been to so far (and been to about 8 times now) is Florence, SC.  They had a large row of charging stations.

I recently visited the Buc-ee's in Kodak, TN and Leeds, AL and I feel like they really need to open a few in North Carolina. I personally don't see them coming to the Northeast.

They tried to build one in Mebane, NC a couple of years ago but were shot down by local opposition.  Don't know that they will look at NC for a while with so many other locales in the works.

I think you're mixing this up. They tried to build one in Efland a few years ago that got shot down due to local opposition. The proposal at Mebane is only a few months old, and is the next attempt by Buc-ee's to get a store built on that I-40 / I-85 overlap between Greensboro and Durham.

Gotcha.  Thanks for the correction.  The Mebane area would be a good location for one.

Mebane is a no-go as well: https://abc11.com/buc-ees-mebane-zoning-planning-board-vote/14173246/

By the planning commission. The city council still has the ultimate vote on it next month.

[Dirt Roads]

I recently visited the Buc-ee's in Kodak, TN and Leeds, AL and I feel like they really need to open a few in North Carolina. I personally don't see them coming to the Northeast.

They tried to build one in Mebane, NC a couple of years ago but were shot down by local opposition.  Don't know that they will look at NC for a while with so many other locales in the works.

I think you're mixing this up. They tried to build one in Efland a few years ago that got shot down due to local opposition. The proposal at Mebane is only a few months old, and is the next attempt by Buc-ee's to get a store built on that I-40 / I-85 overlap between Greensboro and Durham.

Gotcha.  Thanks for the correction.  The Mebane area would be a good location for one.

Mebane is a no-go as well: https://abc11.com/buc-ees-mebane-zoning-planning-board-vote/14173246/

In a long-winded City Council meeting that went on until 2AM this morning, Mebane officials unanimously approved the Buc-ee's proposal (overruling negative recommendations from both the city planning board and the county planning board).  This location will have a much larger footprint than the one proposed in Efland a few years ago.  The new Buc-ee's will be located quite a distance off the Trollingwood Road exit of I-85/I-40 (Exit 152), and it looks like the property adjoins Jimmie Kerr Road which is a mile off of the Haw River exit (Exit 150).  Note that the northern stretch of Jimmie Kerr Road is not well-suited to back-door traffic, as Exit 150 is home to large truck stops on both the northeast and northwest quadrant of the interchange.  But this seems consistent with Buc-ee's newer approach of trying to find properties with some access to multiple adjacent Interstate exits.

https://abc11.com/mebane-bucees-approved-coming-to/14300025/
https://www.wect.com/2024/01/09/buc-ees-is-coming-nc-city-council-approves-75000-square-foot-station-mebane/

[sprjus4]

The new Buc-ee's will be located quite a distance off the Trollingwood Road exit of I-85/I-40 (Exit 152), and it looks like the property adjoins Jimmie Kerr Road which is a mile off of the Haw River exit (Exit 150).

I'm confused... the article mentions the address will be 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road, which is directly off of I-40/I-85 Exit 152, not quite a distance at all.

Here is a conceptual site rendering from a month ago, directly adjacent to the interstate. It looks like the project will entail road widening along with possible overpass widening.

[Dirt Roads]

The new Buc-ee's will be located quite a distance off the Trollingwood Road exit of I-85/I-40 (Exit 152), and it looks like the property adjoins Jimmie Kerr Road which is a mile off of the Haw River exit (Exit 150).

I'm confused... the article mentions the address will be 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road, which is directly off of I-40/I-85 Exit 152, not quite a distance at all.

Here is a conceptual site rendering from a month ago, directly adjacent to the interstate. It looks like the project will entail road widening along with possible overpass widening.

Looks like I was confused about the address.  1425 Trollingwood Road is up about a half-mile further north of the exit (and has a Haw River address).  This map shows Buc-ee's directly across from the Pilot Truck Stop.

[Scott5114]

Wouldn't mind a few mega fuel+food stops in the Northwest, seeing as the few truck/travel centers we do have are dingy and overcrowded. Build some EV chargers and it's an instant winner.

The only Buc-ees I've been to so far (and been to about 8 times now) is Florence, SC.  They had a large row of charging stations.

I recently visited the Buc-ee's in Kodak, TN and Leeds, AL and I feel like they really need to open a few in North Carolina. I personally don't see them coming to the Northeast.

They tried to build one in Mebane, NC a couple of years ago but were shot down by local opposition.  Don't know that they will look at NC for a while with so many other locales in the works.

I think you're mixing this up. They tried to build one in Efland a few years ago that got shot down due to local opposition. The proposal at Mebane is only a few months old, and is the next attempt by Buc-ee's to get a store built on that I-40 / I-85 overlap between Greensboro and Durham.

Gotcha.  Thanks for the correction.  The Mebane area would be a good location for one.

Mebane is a no-go as well: https://abc11.com/buc-ees-mebane-zoning-planning-board-vote/14173246/

By the planning commission. The city council still has the ultimate vote on it next month.

I don't know if it's universal that it works this way, but the one time I worked with a planning commission here in OK, they were the ones that did the real digging into what it was we wanted to do, and the city council basically rubber stamped their decision.

I would expect the city council to go along with what the planning commission decided unless they had some political reason to believe that they needed to overrule them. If there's local opposition to it, I would imagine the city council will vote it down so as to not risk electoral backlash.

[Dirt Roads]

In a long-winded City Council meeting that went on until 2AM this morning, Mebane officials unanimously approved the Buc-ee's proposal (overruling negative recommendations from both the city planning board and the county planning board).  This location will have a much larger footprint than the one proposed in Efland a few years ago. 

https://abc11.com/mebane-bucees-approved-coming-to/14300025/
https://www.wect.com/2024/01/09/buc-ees-is-coming-nc-city-council-approves-75000-square-foot-station-mebane/

Incorrect information redacted.

I don't know if it's universal that it works this way, but the one time I worked with a planning commission here in OK, they were the ones that did the real digging into what it was we wanted to do, and the city council basically rubber stamped their decision.

I would expect the city council to go along with what the planning commission decided unless they had some political reason to believe that they needed to overrule them. If there's local opposition to it, I would imagine the city council will vote it down so as to not risk electoral backlash.

Ed Hooks (current mayor of Mebane) was interviewed yesterday and praised his planning board for all of the effort and details in the process.  He also praised the folks working for Buc-ee's for an excellent presentation.  He indicated that the City Council was divided going into the meeting and he expected a close vote.  The unanimous decision was a surprise.  Some of the details given in the interview may have a hint of why the voting changed.  He stated that "much of the opposition was from [other locations]: Raleigh and Durham,  ...Greensboro and also Charlotte".

[thenetwork]

Buc-ee's just bought a Billboard sign on I-70 East in Fruita, CO, which is only 20 miles east of Utah.

Couldn't get a picture in time, as I didn't expect it, but all it says is (with the Buc-ee's logo)

BUC-EE'S. 1076 Miles. (Not sure of the exact mileage, but it definitely was 1000+ miles).

That begs the question:  which Buc-ee's is it referring to, and on which interstate?

[m2tbone]

That's very interesting.  Around 1076 miles east of Fruita, CO on I-70 would put that location right around my area in O'Fallon, MO.  We just got a Buc-ee's in Springfield in SW Missouri last month, and they mentioned that they weren't done with expansion in Missouri.  I wonder if we'll hear more about this soon. 


iPad Pro

[rlb2024]

Buc-ee's just bought a Billboard sign on I-70 East in Fruita, CO, which is only 20 miles east of Utah.

Couldn't get a picture in time, as I didn't expect it, but all it says is (with the Buc-ee's logo)

BUC-EE'S. 1076 Miles. (Not sure of the exact mileage, but it definitely was 1000+ miles).

That begs the question:  which Buc-ee's is it referring to, and on which interstate?

The Buc-ee's in Denton, TX is about 1,096 miles from Fruita if you take I-70 to I-135 to I-35 . . .

[JayhawkCO]

Looks like the Buc-ees in Johnstown, CO is set to open in March. I didn't realize that it would be tied for the largest Buc-ees in the system - 74,000 sq. ft.

[bugo]

I hope they never build one in Oklahoma. I'd end up getting dragged there by some friends and I don't even want to walk into any of their stores. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than being dragged to Buc'ees or however you spell it by asshole friends is being dragged to a casino or a titty bar.

[Rothman]

I hope they never build one in Oklahoma. I'd end up getting dragged there by some friends and I don't even want to walk into any of their stores. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than being dragged to Buc'ees or however you spell it by asshole friends is being dragged to a casino or a titty bar.

I don't have much of a desire to go to one, either, but your level of disgust is next level.

[sprjus4]

I hope they never build one in Oklahoma. I'd end up getting dragged there by some friends and I don't even want to walk into any of their stores. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than being dragged to Buc'ees or however you spell it by asshole friends is being dragged to a casino or a titty bar.

I mean, you care so much about the store to spew your opinions on a thread monitoring their construction, but go off I guess? More power to you?

[thenetwork]

Got to pass the Fruita, CO sign the other way. 

Actual distance from Fruita to *some* Buc-ee's via I-70 East...1016 MILES.

[JayhawkCO]

I hope they never build one in Oklahoma. I'd end up getting dragged there by some friends and I don't even want to walk into any of their stores. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than being dragged to Buc'ees or however you spell it by asshole friends is being dragged to a casino or a titty bar.

You don't like boobs, money, or Beaver Nuggets? Crazy.

[bugo]

I don't see the point of a gas station that is as big as a Walmart. I want to get in and out when I stop at a convenience store.

[Rothman]

I hope they never build one in Oklahoma. I'd end up getting dragged there by some friends and I don't even want to walk into any of their stores. The only thing that I can think of that would be worse than being dragged to Buc'ees or however you spell it by asshole friends is being dragged to a casino or a titty bar.

You don't like boobs, money, or Beaver Nuggets? Crazy.

Everyone loves boobs.  Everyone.

[sprjus4]

I don't see the point of a gas station that is as big as a Walmart. I want to get in and out when I stop at a convenience store.

Then don't stop at Buc-ee's? Plenty of other places exist.

[Rothman]

I don't see the point of a gas station that is as big as a Walmart. I want to get in and out when I stop at a convenience store.

Then don't stop at Buc-ee's? Plenty of other places exist.

No.  The hate must flow freely.

[kphoger]

I mean, you care so much about the store to spew your opinions on a thread monitoring their construction, but go off I guess? More power to you?

But not enough power to tell his friends "no" and just wait in the car.

[JREwing78]

I don't see the point of a gas station that is as big as a Walmart. I want to get in and out when I stop at a convenience store.

Stop me if you've heard this one, but... making money? Capitalism? That IS how things get done in this country, no?

Most C-stores are built to get people in and out quickly, yes. They have a limited selection, they rotate it quickly, and they limit the decisions people there have to make so they get in, get their stuff, and get the hell out. Move enough people through there, and they make their money.

Buc-ees is doing something different. Buc-ees' business model is on getting a bunch of people to stop and stick around a while, and buy a bunch of crap. It's a tourist trap, like Wall Drug (and their billboards steal a few pages from the Wall Drug playbook). They're not built to be convenient. They're built for you to marvel at all the crazy road-trip food they've got, and wacky knick-knacks and collectables. It's downright perfect for those with EVs, who will take a half-hour to an hour for their vehicles to charge up.

How many C-stores make a point of having spotless bathrooms like Buc-ees? Most C-stores have bathrooms only because you won't stop there if they don't. Buc-ees makes it a point to proclaim they've got the cleanest bathrooms, and that looks awfully good when you've passed hundreds of miles of gas stations with the stupid outdoor bathrooms and the stupid key lock you have to get from the clerk.

It's kinda like the truck stop idea. But because they don't want the truck-stop atmosphere, they specifically ban anyone who dares show up with a semi-truck, even bob-tailing. They don't have showers. They don't have overnight parking. They don't have the on-site doctor and barber and shoe-shiner. But they have a bunch of crap you can't buy anywhere else, and they're rare enough that they're genuinely a destination.

Anyway, Buc-ees doesn't have to be for everyone. The dumbest thing they could do is stack too many of them within a particular area, to the point that being there's no longer an EVENT. That's part of how other roadside chain establishments have waned over the years - they got stale and boring.

It's all for the "greater good". The crappier C-stores will have one more headwind pushing them to adapt or die. The better C-stores will have loyal customers like you to get in, get your crap, and get the hell out. The Buc-ees will snag the folks dazzled by beaver schwag and hundreds of varieties of beef jerky.

'Murica! F*** yeah!

[vdeane]

They're built for you to marvel at all the crazy road-trip food they've got, and wacky knick-knacks and collectables. It's downright perfect for those with EVs, who will take a half-hour to an hour for their vehicles to charge up.

I don't believe they have seating, however, so where are you supposed to eat your crazy road-trip food?

[Jim]

They're built for you to marvel at all the crazy road-trip food they've got, and wacky knick-knacks and collectables. It's downright perfect for those with EVs, who will take a half-hour to an hour for their vehicles to charge up.

I don't believe they have seating, however, so where are you supposed to eat your crazy road-trip food?

For whatever reason, it has apparently never bothered me that I take my food back out to the car since I didn't even think about the fact there is no seating until I read this post.

The wall of soda flavors is enough to get me to stop every time we drive I-95 through Florence (2-3 times a year each way).  And the beaver chips. I only tried the brisket sandwich for the first time last summer and thought it was pretty good.

The first time we stopped, I was thinking it was a one-time thing, like how everyone needs to stop at Pedro's once in their life and realizes they never need to be there again (though I've stopped multiple times when new people were traveling with us and they needed to at least drive through on 301).  But we were hooked and now own various Buc'ees stuff and plan our stops so we need snacks and gas in Florence.  It doesn't hurt that they have the lowest gas prices in the area and you're certainly not going to wait to get a pump.

[vdeane]

^ That actually references the other thing... the lack of squeegees for cleaning the windshield.  How can anyone have a gas station, especially one that caters to travelers, and not have those?  I swear, I need to clean my windshield every single time I drive multiple hours in a row because of either bugs in the summer or grime in the winter.  It's very rare that I don't, to the point that it's statistically insignificant.

So, between the lack of seating and lack of squeegees, I don't have any plans to stop at a Buc-ees any time soon, even if I was to pass through their territory.

[Road Hog]

I actully like Buc-ees, but no chance in hell I'm stopping at one on a busy holiday weekend. Tried the one in Madisonville the Friday before Christmas once — and barely got in the door before I did an about-face. It was nuts.