Beaver fever: Here's why landing a Buc-ee's outlet represents a win for the Treasure Coast

Beaver fever has hit the Treasure Coast.

As reported in TCPalm, the Buc-ee’s chain of Texas-sized gas stations has submitted preliminary plans to open a location in northern St. Lucie County. Based on the initial internet response, expect a run on the chain's famous "beaver nuggets," assuming the new station opens as planned near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Indrio Road.

Let me start out with a confession: I'm not all that big on Buc-ee's myself.

I'll admit the chain makes a pretty good pulled pork sandwich, which is a strong statement coming from a barbecue snob like me. In general, though, I prefer the NASCAR approach to refueling stops: The quicker they're over, the better I like it.

Buc-ing the notion smaller is better

Buc-ee's business model runs directly counter to that philosophy. The huge stores, stuffed with snacks and souvenirs, entice shoppers to linger awhile and consider the merits of buying a T-shirt with the chain's famous beaver mascot.

Because nothing says "I make impulse purchases" like clothing or gee-gaws purchased at a gas station.

Now, having said all that, I fully understand how big of a deal this is. My wife is just the opposite of me. When we are traveling through states where Buc-ee's has a presence, we're not allowed to bypass one of its locations ― even if we just stopped at the previous exit. (Unless my wife is sleeping, but we don't need to talk about that.)

You can bet she'll shop at the new Buc-ee's, even if it happens to be a little bit out of her way. And it would seem from social media comments that she's not the only one.

Buc-ee's has, for whatever reason, found that secret sauce all chain stores and restaurants crave. It has developed a cult-like following among those who are "in the know" about the shopping experience offered on the sprawling campuses its stores inhabit.

Trust me, there are people in other parts of Florida who are reading about Buc-ee's plans for northern St. Lucie County and hoping their community will be next. In other words, landing a Buc-ee's is a good "get" for the community.

Don't hate the player, hate the game

I realize not everyone will agree. If you're against growth of any kind, you're not going to be happy about a massive gas station gobbling up 33 acres of precious land.

And, if you believe we live in a car-oriented society that's too reliant on fossil fuels that are causing greenhouse gases that are slowly (or not-so-slowly) cooking our planet, there's nothing I can write that will make you feel good about a new Buc-ee's.

Buc-ee's didn't start this particular fire, though. The chain is simply taking advantage of the way the world is, not the way some would like for it to be. I'm certain if electric cars continue to gain in popularity, Buc-ee's would adjust its business plans to include more than the 20 EV charging stations currently proposed to meet the demand.

Big picture, if you're concerned about population growth, either locally or statewide, Buc-ee's isn't really adding to the burden. Most of its customers will be people passing through the region on the interstate, bound for destinations north or south. The rest will be shopaholics like my wife, who were already living here but appreciate having a new option available to them.

Having a Buc-ee's isn't going to add significantly to the number of people moving to the Treasure Coast.

Buc-ee's picked us for the team!

Here's the real reason why this is important: St. Lucie County needed this, for the sake of the community's collective psyche.

Remember four years ago, when then-Port St. Lucie Mayor Greg Oravec was practically begging Costco to open one of its membership-based discount stores in the city? After opposition had scuttled plans for a Costco store in Palm City, Oravec's staff put together a slick video offering the chain free land for a store location in Southern Grove.

Instead, Costco endured a protracted political and legal battle to win approval for a site along Kanner Highway in Stuart, where construction work is currently ongoing. Costco's reception in Stuart has been a bit more mixed than the near-overwhelming acclaim Buc-ee's seems to be getting, but that's probably more a reflection of the specific site chosen for the new Costco than any real animosity toward the chain.

There are lots of other chain restaurants and stores Treasure Coast shoppers and diners will want to pursue. That goes with the territory when you have a highly transient population that waxes nostalgic about the places people used to frequent "back home."

Chain-mania won't end with Buc-ee's opening

Does the Treasure Coast want a Trader Joe's? You bet. The Cheesecake Factory? Yeah, even if the menus offer way too many choices. Maybe even an In-N-Out Burger joint or two? Sure, let's order something off the menu.

It's fun to have white whales to chase, but unless your community lands one of them every once in a while, it can be a blow to the civic self-esteem. It's no fun living in a place where everybody feels like the last kid selected for the kickball game at recess.

Hey, even I could get excited if Corky's BBQ or Interstate Barbecue decided to bring their culinary offerings this far south.

So let the Buc-ee's fans savor this moment. The prospect of a new location opening on their doorstep is something they can really sink their teeth into.

This column reflects the opinion of Blake Fontenay. Contact him via email at bfontenay@gannett.com or at 772-232-5424.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Buc-ee's outlet in St. Lucie County will boost the community's morale