In celebration of its Texas legacy, Buc-ee’s will open its 50th location in Luling on June 10, marking a significant milestone for the beloved travel center giant.
This newest store aims to stand as a testament to the brand’s growth and also as a nod to its humble beginnings, replacing the very first Buc-ee’s travel center, which opened its doors in Luling back in 2003, according to The Dallas Morning News.
It will also make the Lone Star State once again home to the largest Buc-ee’s — a bragging right taken away by Tennessee when a 74,000-square-foot location in Sevierville opened last June, as The Dallas Express reported.
The forthcoming Luling travel center, sprawling across 75,000 square feet, will dwarf the original location by nearly 40,000 square feet.
Director of operations Josh Smith expressed the company’s eagerness to reclaim Luling’s status within the brand’s ever-expanding empire.
“Now that we’ve grown and expanded,” Smith told DMN, “we’re just wanting to bring that title back to Luling since that’s where it all started for us.”
The forthcoming Luling location will employ at least 200 people and feature 120 gas pumps alongside an extensive selection of food and beverage options. Classic favorites, from barbecue and fudge to iconic Beaver Nuggets and kolaches, will all be offered to travelers.
Situated in South Texas, approximately 60 miles east of San Antonio along Interstate 10, Luling holds a special significance in the heart of Buc-ee’s as the birthplace of the brand’s iconic family travel centers.
Originating in Clute, Texas, in 1982, Buc-ee’s initially operated as conventional convenience stores before venturing into the realm of family-centric travel centers, culminating in the inauguration of the Luling location, according to DMN.
Buc-ee’s embarked on an expansion initiative in 2019, establishing its presence in over 10 states across the South.
Yet, as Smith emphasized to DMN, “Texas is our roots,” underscoring the profound sense of pride associated with returning to the state that birthed the Buc-ee’s legacy.