Six things to know about Buc-ee's as it plans to open fourth Florida location in St. Lucie

Gianna Montesano, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·3 min read
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Texas-based gas station/travel center Buc-ee's is eyeing the Treasure Coast for a new location, the fourth in Florida.

Buc-ee's already operates 46 locations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennesee and Texas.

Here's what to know about the operation, which lives up to the Texas slogan "Everything's bigger in Texas," and what is expected for the Treasure Coast.

Where will Buc-ee's be built on the Treasure Coast?

Travel center and fueling station conceptual site plan provided by St. Lucie County. Note "Buc-ee's -- Fort, Pierce, FL" and "Buc-ee's Ltd." notation on bottom right.
Travel center and fueling station conceptual site plan provided by St. Lucie County. Note "Buc-ee's -- Fort, Pierce, FL" and "Buc-ee's Ltd." notation on bottom right.

It's expected to be developed on about 33 acres at Interstate 95 and Indrio Road, near Fort Pierce, according to a TCPalm report. St. Lucie County hosted a pre-application meeting July 27 for a “travel center/fueling station,” according to Benjamin Balcer, who directs the county Planning and Development Services Department.

While the name Buc-ee’s wasn’t mentioned at the meeting, "it was understood at the meeting what it was,” Balcer said.

A conceptual plan obtained by TCPalm states “Buc-ee’s — Fort Pierce, FL” and “Buc-ee’s, Ltd.”

A submitted drawing for the plan includes 73,000 square feet of retail space, 733 parking stalls, 11 bus parking stalls and 120 fueling stations, according to county records.

What is Buc-ee's?

Buc-ee's founder Arch Aplin III was about 24 when he opened the first 3,000-square-foot location in Lake Jackson, Texas, in 1982.

The name Buc-ee's comes from the nickname Aplin's father's colleagues gave him, Bucky Beaver, and his Labrador dog growing up named Buck, according to an interview Aplin gave Texas Monthly interview in 2019.

Now, Buc-ee's is known for its huge locations, where customers can stop in to get gas, update their wardrobes with Buc-ee's clothes, buy home decor or buy fresh jerky, fudge and candied walnuts.

Jerky, clean bathrooms, Beaver Nuggets: 10 things you'll find in Buc-ee's

Where are Buc-ee's in Florida?

Buc-ee's already has two Florida locations.

The first, in St. Augustine, opened Feb. 22, 2021. The second opened one month later, March 22, 2021, in Daytona Beach.

The Daytona Beach Buc-ee's has a 53,000-square-foot convenience store, slightly bigger than the 52,600-square-foot location in St. Augustine and about the average size of a Publix store.

A third location, set to be the world's largest Buc-ee's, according to the company, is being built in Ocala in Marion County. It will be an 80,000-square-foot facility with 120 gas pumps and 750 parking spots. It is set to open by 2025, WFLA reported. For now, the largest Buc-ee's is in Sevierville, Tennesee, boasting 74,707 square feet. It opened June 26.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis throws bags of Beaver Nuggets to people attending his press conference. DeSantis visited Ocala, FL, Friday afternoon, April 7, 2023 holding a press The governor visits Marion County to reveal that $4 million will be allocated by the state to build an Interstate 75 exchange. A Buc-ee's convenience store will be built nearby. Ron DeSantis is throwing bags of Buc-ee's to the crowd.

What animal is Buc-ee?

Not every gas station has a mascot, but Buc-ee's does and it's a beaver.

Buc-ee the beaver is front-and-center in the company logo sporting a bright, white buck-toothed smile and a red cap.

The beaver has become such a large part of the brand that it's on merchandise ranging from T-shirts and sweaters to mugs, blankets and neck pillows.

Customers browse items at the new Buc-ee's travel center in Richmond, KY on Tuesday morning. April 19, 2022
Customers browse items at the new Buc-ee's travel center in Richmond, KY on Tuesday morning. April 19, 2022

What is the most famous thing at Buc-ee's?

Aside from gasoline, jerky, fudge, merchandise and its gargantuan size, Buc-ee's is known for its Beaver Nuggets.

No beavers were harmed in the making of nuggets. That's just what Buc-ee's calls its signature sweet corn-puff snack. If you don't have Buc-ees' nearby, you can get a taste of the nuggets by ordering them on Amazon.

Beaver Nuggets are one of the popular snack items that the Daytona Beach Buc-ee's will offer when it opens its doors on Monday, March 22, 2021. The sugary treats have been described as caramel-covered corn pops.
Beaver Nuggets are one of the popular snack items that the Daytona Beach Buc-ee's will offer when it opens its doors on Monday, March 22, 2021. The sugary treats have been described as caramel-covered corn pops.

What is the Buc-ee's TikTok trend?

TikTok users have used Buc-ee's visits nationwide as an opportunity to video content. The first video with the viral sound clip was uploaded Nov. 17, 2022.

TikTokers use the audio to show themselves at Buc-ee's and completing mundane tasks on their first visits.

Audio includes tasks such as getting ice at Buc-ee's, meeting a stranger and jumping on the Buc-ee's statue outside. The original audio has been used more than 1,500 times; the most-viewed video has more than 2 million views.

TCPalm breaking news reporter Will Greenlee contributed to this report.

Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on Twitter @gonthescene.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Buc-ee's eyes another Florida location, fourth one in the state