What’s the next step for a larger-sized Buc-ee’s on potential Southwest Florida land? When is the important vote related to the potential project on the Peace River?
- Popular gas station and convenience store chain Buc-ee’s is officially coming to Tallahassee.
- Plans for the new location include a 75,000-square-foot store, 120 gas pumps and 795 parking spaces.
- Buc-ee’s is also planning new locations in Ocala, Fort Pierce and Port Charlotte, adding to its two existing Florida stores.
The Texas-based, cult-favorite gas station/convenience store chain closed on more than 30 acres near Interstate 10 in late November. Initial plans reported earlier this year were for a 75,000-square-foot store, with 120 pumps, 795 parking spaces and two dozen parking spaces for electric vehicles.
The new Buc-E will be part of a 73-acre development, with more than 20 acres of commercial land and 60 acres for residential properties. It’s still in the early stages, according to an email sent to constituents from Rick Minor, who represents the district.
“Next steps? Book-e will submit detailed development plans for review,” he wrote. “At that time, the county will schedule a public hearing, which will provide the public an opportunity to provide input.”
Buc-Ease is expected to break ground in early 2026 for an anticipated 2027 launch.
So, it’s a big gas station. So what?
Think of it as a tourist-attraction-slash-mini-mall that also sells gas.
In addition to a ridiculous number of gas pumps, Buc-ee’s is known for having the cleanest bathrooms in America and a small grocery-sized store that carries the usual gas station items as well as a wide variety of well-received store-brand products like jerky, roasted nuts, fudge, brisket, signature Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets and much more.
However, most gas stations don’t sell full BBQ grills and household items, or feature a big, cheerful, buck-toothed mascot smiling at you from T-shirts, mugs, toys, snacks or a statue out front.
The chain is also known for its excellent hourly starting pay and benefits, with pay checks ranging from $16 to $32 per hour and salaries for management reaching six figures.
Here’s what to know.
Where is Buc-ee’s in Florida?
There are currently two Buc-ee’s in Florida:
- St. Augustine, 200 World Commerce Parkway: Opened in February 2021 with 52,600 square feet and 104 fuel stations
- Daytona Beach, 2330 Gateway North Drive: Opened in March 2021 with 53,000 square feet and 104 fuel stations. It added a massive 235-foot long car wash last year.
WATCH: Take a thrilling ride at the new Buc-E Car Wash in Daytona
Daytona Beach News-Journal business editor Clayton Parks tries out Florida’s longest car wash tunnel. The 235-foot-long car wash opened on July 17, 2024.
Where are the new Buc-ee’s coming to Florida?
Buick-e executives have big plans to expand their footprint in the Sunshine State.
- Ocala, Marion County: In February, Gov. Ron DeSantis was set to break ground for a new I-75 store that was to get a Buc-ee with 74,000 square feet and 120 fuel stations. The opening date has not been set as it depends on the completion of the first interchange.
- Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County: A planned location northwest of Fort Pierce off I-95 and southwest of Vero Beach will be 76,245 square feet with 120 gas pumps, 18 EV charging stations and 778 parking spaces. The state signed off in April, and the company has proposed several site plans for county approval. The first billboards appeared near the planned location in late September.
- Tallahassee, Leon County: Buc-ee’s submitted a permit application in February with plans for a proposed 75,000-square-foot store with 120 gas pumps and 24 EV charging stations. If successful, it would be one of the largest Buc-ee’s in the country.
- Port Charlotte, Charlotte County: Buc-ee’s are planned in three villages near the new Harborview development in southwest Florida. Depending on zoning, it is planned to be approximately 74,000 square feet, according to Stan Beard, Buick-e’s national director of real estate and development.
One rumor didn’t work in Lee County.
Where is the biggest Buc-ee’s?
The largest Buc-ee’s is in Luling, Texas, spanning more than 75,000 square feet. Last year, it replaced the original location built in 2003.
Will the Tallahassee store break the record?
Previously, Buc-ee’s had said it wanted to keep Texas-sized stores inside Texas.
“With respect to square footage, the largest store outside of Texas will not exceed 74,000 square feet in 2024,” a company spokesperson said in an email after rumors arose about the new Ocala store potentially breaking records.
What’s the big deal about Buc-ee? We set out on a road trip to find out
Buc-Ease, a gas station convenience store chain founded in Texas in the 1980s, has developed a cult following online. Does it live up to the hype?
McClatchy – Raleigh News & Observer
What is Buc-ee?
Buc-ee’s started in Texas in 1982 and has been in the Lone Star State for years, but the chain is making inroads in the Sunshine State and elsewhere. The locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and serve as a one-stop shop for travelers and locals.
They are known for cheap gas at the large number of gas pumps at each location; A wide variety of hot meals, bakery items and fudges prepared on site; A wide variety of store-brand snacks, grocery staples, sauces and an entire wall of jerky; And a large section of home decor, kitchen utensils, clothing, barbecue grills, Florida souvenirs, and more.
They are also justifiably famous for their clean bathrooms, which are also spacious.
Buc-ee’s was rated by GasBuddy.com as having the cleanest restrooms of any convenience store chain in the country. And for their starting salary, which is often clearly listed on large display boards outside when hiring.
In May 2024, USA Today’s 10Best selected Buc-ee’s as 10th best for both best gas station brand and best gas station for food.
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