Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

The first Buc-ee’s store on Route 66 reportedly is set to open late this year in Springfield, Missouri. Another Buc-ee’s site in Amarillo, Texas, will break ground on Oct. 26.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the Buc-ee’s on the northeast side of the city is holding a mass hiring event this week. The company expects to hire more than 250 people at the store.

Though that Buc-ee’s hasn’t announced an official opening date, the City of Springfield states on its website the estimated completion date of the store is December.

A spokesman for Buc-ee’s said a late 2023 opening in Springfield was possible, but it occurring in early 2024 was more likely.

The Buc-ee’s will be at 3284 N. Mulroy Road, just off of Interstate 44 and north of Old Route 66.

The Springfield Buc-ees will offer 100 fuel pumps amid its 53,000-square-foot travel center.

Meanwhile, the Buc-ee’s on the east side of Amarillo is set to break ground on Oct. 26, reported the Amarillo Globe-News.

That one, located at 9900 E. Interstate 40, will be a 74,000-square-foot facility with 108 fuel pumps and 24 EV charging stations.

Though Buc-ee’s operates dozens of stores in its home base of Texas, this would be the first in the Texas Panhandle.

“Amarillo is the midpoint between Chicago and Los Angeles on the fabled Route 66,” said Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s told the newspaper. “I can’t think of a better place to put a Buc-ee’s.”

No opening date was announced, but a check of other reports shows a typical construction time of 18 months. That would put the Amarillo Buc-ee’s opening in the spring of 2025.

Buc-ee’s has close to 60 locations — mostly in Texas, but expanding rapidly in the Southeast and Midwest.

The relatively low number of stores belies the chain’s popularity, with many fans driving far out of the way for its beef jerky, barbecue sandwiches, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, fudge, souvenirs and clean bathrooms.

UPDATE 11/14/2023: Buc-ee’s announced the Springfield, Missouri, store will open on Dec. 11.

(Image of a Buc-ee’s facade by Laura Eulalia Silva via Flickr)