Here's the latest on the first Buc-ee's planned for Louisiana

Greg Hilburn, Shreveport Times
·3 min read

Groundbreaking on Buc-ee's first Louisiana store on the western boundary of Ruston could be pushed back as the company commissions a traffic study it needs before the city can get state approval to build the Interstate 20 service road and accompanying infrastructure needed for the giant travel center.

"It just takes a long time to get these kinds of projects done," Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker said. "None of this is unexpected. It won't significantly impact the schedule - if at all."

USA Today Network first reported the project in January. The city, Lincoln Parish School Board and Lincoln Parish Police Jury all subsequently approved a tax incentive package that set the project in motion.

But the city still needs state approval to build what Walker estimates with be a $24 million price tag for supporting infrastructure, primarily the new service road, and help from the state to fund it.

Walker said he is working with lawmakers and Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration to secure a portion of the cost in the upcoming Legislative Session that begins April 10.

Jade West, the city's economic development director, said Buc-ee's hasn't reported any changes in their schedule, which company officials said includes groundbreaking sometime this year and opening in 2025.

"They remain excited about the project and we're excited to be getting the first Buc-ee's in Louisiana," West said.

Buc-ee's has built a fanatic following

The Lake Jackson, Texas-headquartered company has more than 40 stores in seven southern states, but none in Louisiana. In 2016, Buc-ee's announced tentative plans to build its first Louisiana store in Baton Rouge, but scrapped the project in 2017.

But the company has its origins in Louisiana, where Buc-ee's owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin III worked in his grandfather's general merchandise store during his childhood summers.

"On Christmas Day my dad Arch Aplin Jr. (who is 97) was reminiscing with his grandchildren about growing up in the Aplin family general mercantile store in Harrisonburg, Louisiana," the Beaver said in a statement to USA Today Network. "For our family, opening a Buc-ee's in Louisiana is like coming home. We are very excited about Buc-ee’s coming to Ruston."

Buc-ee's has secured an 84-acre tract of land on the northern side of the new I-20 Tarbutton Exchange. Ruston completed the $25 million Tarbutton Exchange in 2019. The travel center will be directly across from Ruston Junior High School.

Harrisonburg High School Senior Jacob Thompson and Kathy Spann celebrate Buc-ee's day at the school Jan. 12, 2022.
Harrisonburg High School Senior Jacob Thompson and Kathy Spann celebrate Buc-ee's day at the school Jan. 12, 2022.

The travel center will occupy 30 acres, leaving more than 50 acres for more development.

Walker estimated the project will be a $50 million to $60 million development with a 53,000-square-foot campus and 120 gas pumps.

More:Buc-ee's origin story began in Louisiana at a general store in tiny Harrisonburg

Buc-ee's will create a minimum of 200 new full-time jobs with starting pay at $16 per hour plus benefits including three weeks paid time off and a 401k plan with a company match.

Buc-ee's, with its toothy Beaver mascot, has developed a cult following among travelers who consider the stores tourism destinations rather than just a giant convenience store.

Every Buc-ee's has wide varieties of meat jerky and roasted nuts and other culinary delights like the signature Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets (similar to caramel popcorn), fudge, brisket and sausage on a stick.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's the latest on first Buc-ee's in Louisiana: Will there be delay?