HOUSTON — As Buc-ee's continues to expand its empire beyond Texas, folks in two neighboring states hope to see those beaver billboards on their highways soon.
Anytime Buc-ee's buzz makes headlines, people pay attention. So we went straight to the source to confirm reports that plans are already in the works for stores in Louisiana. However, we're told they're not quite done deals yet.
"I can confirm that we are working diligently on two sites in Louisiana," Buc-ee's General Counsel Jeff Nadalo told us. "As soon as due diligence is complete, we hope to move forward with the projects."
The two sites being considered are Lafayette, off I-10 between Beaumont and New Orleans, and Ruston, off I-20 east of Shreveport.
The Lafayette location cleared its first big hurdle earlier this month when the board of zoning adjustment gave unanimous approval to plans for a 74,000-square-foot store on I-10 at Louisiana Avenue, the Acadiana Advocate reported. They said the target opening date is the 2025 holiday season.
According to KSLA in Shreveport, construction is set to begin sometime this year on the Ruston location and city leaders say they're on track to finish it by late 2025.
“I had no idea it would cause this much excitement, not just in Ruston but across the state,” Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker said in April. “We’re excited because we’re finally to the point where the state and the city have come to an agreement on everything."
Buc-ee's also has its sights set on Oklahoma for future locations, Nadalo confirmed.
What's the big deal about Buc-ee's?
So what is it about the massive convenience store and gas station that always fuels excitement?
A lot of customers stop there for the large, clean bathrooms with countless stalls. Others love the beef jerky, barbecue and homemade fudge. And some people can't get enough of those sticky, sweet Beaver Nuggets.
For Mickey Boucher from Houston, it's the consistency of the Buc-ee's brand and the friendly employees.
“The thing is, hospitality has always been a passion that God has given me, and I really feel like Buc-ee’s does that really, really well,” Boucher said on June 10 after she drove to Luling for the grand opening of the world's biggest Buc-ee's. “We’re not the only ones hooping and hollering, they’re doing it, too."
She made the two-hour-plus trip from H-Town to be one of the first in line in Luling.
“This was something I could do that brought me joy today,” Boucher said. “I wouldn’t miss it for an extra two hours of sleep, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The 75,000-square-foot Luling's travel center is the 50th Buc-ee's nationwide and the 36th in Texas.
