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Buc-ee’s Set to Open New Travel Centers in Texas and Kentucky in June

Luling, Texas, location will be biggest store to date, while Smiths Grove, Kentucky, will be smallest town to host chain
buc-ee's luling texas old
Photograph: Shutterstock

Buc-ee’s Ltd. will cut the ribbon to open its newest travel center, located in Luling, Texas, on June 10. Upon opening, it will be the largest Buc-ee’s location in the country. Occupying more than 75,000 square feet, the updated Buc-ee’s Luling will replace the city’s current Buc-ee’s store (pictured), which was the brand’s first family travel center, built in 2003.

Buc-ee’s will open its next travel center in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, June 24, the chain’s second in the Bluegrass State.

Luling, Texas

Located at 10070 I-10, the Luling site will offer 120 fueling positions. In store, it will offer thousands of snack, meal and drink options. Buc-ee’s staples including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries will also be available.

Local leaders attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony will include Mayor CJ Watts of Luling, former Mayor Mike Hendricks of Luling, Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden, and Luling City Manager Mark Mayo.

After this opening, Buc-ee’s will operate 50 stores across Texas and the South (49 upon the closing of the existing Luling travel center).

“We are thrilled to open the doors to the world’s largest Buc-ee’s travel center right here in the great state of Texas,” said Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s director of real estate and development. “It’s particularly exciting, considering this is the Buc-ee’s that started it all, so we are really looking forward to celebrating with the incredible people of Luling.” 

Buc-ee’s Luling will employ at least 200 team members, with starting pay beginning above minimum wage, full benefits, a 6% matching 401k and three weeks of paid vacation, according to the company.

Smiths Grove, Kentucky

Located at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, the Smiths Grove Buc-ee’s will occupy 53,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling positions. Smiths Grove will be the smallest town to host a Buc-ee’s.

Local leaders attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony will include Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky; U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Mayor David Stiffey of Smiths Grove; Smiths Grove City Commissioners; Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman; and former Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. 

After the opening of the Smiths Grove facility, Buc-ee’s will operate 50 stores across Texas and the South.

“We are so excited to celebrate the grand opening of our latest travel center on this beautiful stretch of I-65 between Nashville and Louisville,” said Beard. “Smiths Grove may be small, but the community has welcomed us with as much love and enthusiasm as our largest cities, so we’re excited to be here and watch this partnership grow.” 

The Buc-ee’s in Smiths Grove will bring at least 200 jobs to the area, the company said.

  • Buc-ee’s is No. 153 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.

Since beginning its multi-state expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Colorado. Buc-ee’s broke ground on the first Virginia and Mississippi locations earlier this year.

Founded in 1982, Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s now has 35 stores across Texas, including the world’s largest convenience store, as well as 15 locations in other states. Buc-ee’s is known for its large, clean bathrooms, a large number of fueling positions, Buc-ee’s apparel and food.

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