The first Buc-ee’s mega-convenience store along the Route 66 corridor opened Monday on the northeast side of Springfield, Missouri.
The Springfield Buc-ee’s sits just north of Interstate 44 and Old Route 66, off Exit 84.
Here’s a report from OzarksFirst.com on the opening day:
Here’s a video report from opening day:
When we call it a mega-store, we’re not kidding — it’s 53,000 square feet with 120 fuel stations and 200 employees. Big trucks are not allowed, though.
Another Buc-ee’s along the Route 66 corridor is under construction on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. No opening date has been announced, but 2025 seems to be a safe bet.
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.
(Image of a Buc-ee’s facade by Laura Eulalia Silva via Flickr)
Buc-ees sells all that food but no place to eat it. There is no bar against the wall to stand and eat all those sandwiches. No picnic tables outside the store. It is all To Go, so be prepared for the bar-b-que drips.
They typically have bags of corn stacked to the right (as you go out) of the center entrance. I enjoy sitting on a pile of corn bags to eat. I’ve been to Buc-ee’s maybe 8-10 times now. Every location I’ve stopped at had the corn bags.