During the summer of 2016, my wife and I had the chance to visit her uncle and aunt, Tom and Cassie, who live just outside Houston. One of the highlights we were looking forward to was a day trip to Galveston. I was particularly excited to see the coastal city that I had always heard Glen Campbell sing about. On our way there, Uncle Tom mentioned he wanted to take us to a well-known convenience store and gas station called Buc-ee’s.
I was all set for the beach and wasn’t thrilled about a quick stop at a convenience store. But as soon as we arrived in Texas City and pulled into the Buc-ee’s parking lot, I was completely blown away. I’ve never seen so many gas pumps and cars packed into one spot! Once we stepped inside, I was taken aback by what I found. People everywhere grabbed hot barbecue brisket sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and all sorts of random items—from nail clippers to bobbleheads of Buc-ee Beaver, the store’s mascot. Not only could you find Buc-ee’s stuffed animals and neck pillows, but the actual Buc-ee Beaver was also mingling and snapping photos with fans. Of course, I couldn’t resist joining in on the fun and getting my picture taken. Since discovering Buc-ee's, I’ve become a huge fan. My closet is filled with Buc-ee’s t-shirts and caps, and my desk is home to a variety of beaver-themed trinkets I’ve collected over the years.
For anyone who may not know much about Buc-ee’s, let me share a little background about it. Founded in 1982 by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek, the very first Buc-ee’s opened its doors in Clute, Texas, not far from Lake Jackson. The name "Buc-ee’s" is a fun mashup of Aplin’s childhood nickname, "Beaver," and his beloved Labrador Retriever, "Buck," along with a nod to the animated character Bucky Beaver from the classic Ipana toothpaste ads.
What started as a humble gas station and convenience store began transforming in 2003 when Buc-ee’s launched its first travel center in Luling, Texas. From then on, the brand took off, expanding across Texas with larger stores offering various products. Their impressive 68,000-square-foot location in New Braunfels in 2012 put Buc-ee’s on the map.
In 2019, Buc-ee’s set its sights outside Texas, opening its initial out-of-state store outside of Mobile, Alabama. Since then, it has continued to grow, opening locations in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, and beyond. Currently, Buc-ee’s operates 50 locations across nine states, with plans to unveil new stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.
Buc-ee’s stores are remarkable for their size, with some locations stretching over 75,000 square feet. The largest store, situated in Luling, Texas, opened its doors in June 2024 and boasts an impressive 120 gas pumps, employing around 200 team members. Renowned for their immaculately clean restrooms, Buc-ee’s earned the Cintas “America’s Best Restroom” award back in 2012. Beyond that, they tempt visitors with a delectable array of food, including freshly baked kolaches, fudge, and their signature Beaver Nuggets. The stores also offer a range of branded merchandise, from clothing and home decor to outdoor gear.
Buc-ee’s has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, cherished in Texas and beyond. Their stores are popular pit stops for road trippers, thanks to the brand's unwavering dedication to cleanliness, exceptional customer service, and unique offerings. This has not only created a loyal following but also attracted significant media attention.
Arkansas’s first Buc-ee's store is set to open its doors in September 2026, conveniently located off the Haskell (Saline County) exit of Interstate 30 on Arkansas 229, at the southern end of Benton. Additionally, another location is planned to open in West Memphis (Crittenden County) later that year.
Wednesday, April 16, marked an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking of the Benton Buc-ee’s. It attracted a huge crowd, including our state’s governor, the mayor of Benton, and various other political and community leaders. Among those present was Arch Aplin, the founder of the company, whom I was able to meet and get a photo with.
In a year and a half, I can't wait to bring our Texas uncle and aunt to the Natural State’s very first Buc-ee’s, a whole decade after our first experience with that legendary beaver.
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