What is Buc-ee's? (and other Frequentl-ee Asked Questions)

When you think of the great moments in history that shaped the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Daniel Boone’s hike through the Cumberland Gap certainly comes to mind. After all, Boone and his traveling party discovered and settled the land we Kentuckians now call home, beginning with their founding of Fort Boonesboro, one of the first English-speaking settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains, in the area we now call Madison County.

Originally known as Boone’s Station, Fort Boonesborough served as Daniel Boone’s home for four years during the American Revolutionary War, and the path he pioneered from Virginia brought hundreds of thousands of settlers into the new land.

Today, some 244-ish years later, another great moment was written in Kentucky history when a new pioneer crossed into Kentucky and, like Daniel Boone, planted his roots in Madison County with hopes of attracting hundreds of thousands of travelers.

Before sunrise this morning, a beaver mascot from Texas and its popular chain of travel centers settled in the same soil that attracted Boone, right off I-75 at Exit 83, with the first Buc-ee’s location north of Daniel Boone National Forest. The new Buc-ee’s opened in Richmond at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning with a line of eager beavers (sorry, I couldn’t help it), followed by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to commemorate this monumental day in the Commonwealth.

April 19, 2022: a monumental day in Kentucky pic.twitter.com/MroSbJOSh0

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) April 19, 2022

Though exciting to some, especially the guy in the cowboy hat, many Kentuckians still wonder: What is a Buc-ee’s anyway? And why are some of my Facebook friends acting like we just got a Disney World?

Those are two very good questions. Let’s answer them and more in these Frequentl-ee Asked Questions about Buc-ee’s.

What is Buc-ee’s?

Based out of Texas, Buc-ee’s is a popular chain of travel centers that is spreading its reach throughout the southeastern United States. Buc-ee’s stores are known for their size, unique roadside offerings, and overall cleanliness.

An example, the Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels, Texas, is the largest convenience store in the world at 66,335 square feet.

So it’s just a big truck stop?

No. In fact, it is not a truck stop at all because trucks are banned from the premises. Buc-ee’s does not accommodate 18-wheelers at its fuel pumps or in its parking lots to better serve its target audience of passenger vehicles.

There will always be a place to park or a place to pump with over 100 fuel pumps at each location, part of Buc-ee’s commitment to travel convenience.

It has 100+ gas pumps?!

The new one in Richmond has 120.

What else can I buy at Buc-ees?

I can’t possibly list everything you will find inside Buc-ee’s—that would take days—but I may be able to interest you in the famous wall of jerky, the texas round-up carving stations with fresh brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, the housemade fudge, taffy, or Beaver Nuggets, the hot-selling snack found only at Buc-ee’s. They’re like sweet corn puffs.

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You can also get all of the regular high-calorie treats you find on road trips, or for the early Christmas shopper, the Buc-ee’s branded merchandise like t-shirts and coolers.

It’s insane how much stuff is in there. You can even buy a bucket of bacon grease.

Exactly how big is this place?

The new Richmond location is roughly 53,000 square feet.

Does it ever close?

No. Buc-ee’s is proudly open 24/7, 365.

Will there be others around Kentucky?

Another great question. Kentucky will soon have THREE Buc-ee’s locations with new ones already in the works for Smiths Grove (outside of Bowling Green) and Oak Grove (by Fort Campbell on the Tennessee line). Those locations are expected to be open by 2024.

As of now, 35 of Buc-ee’s 42 locations are in Texas. There are two in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and the one now in Kentucky.

I need to see this place for myself, don’t I?

Yes, you do. Don’t forget the Beaver Nuggets.