It’s official. Buc-ee’s is coming to Tallahassee.
The Texas-based, cult-favorite gas station/convenience store chain in late November closed on more than 30 acres near Interstate 10. Preliminary plans reported earlier this year were for a 75,000 square-foot store, loaded with 120 pumps, 795 parking spots and two dozen parking spaces for electric vehicles.
The new Buc-ee’s is slated to be part of a 73-acre development with more than 20 more acres of commercial land and 60 acres zoned for residential properties. It’s still in the early stages, according to an email to constituents from Rick Minor, who represents the district.
“Next step? Buc-ee’s will submit detailed development plans for review,” he wrote. “At that point, the County will schedule public hearings, giving the public an opportunity to provide input.”
Buc-ee’s is expected to break ground in early 2026 for an anticipated 2027 opening.
So, it’s a big gas station. So what?
Think of it more as a tourist-attraction-slash-mini-mall that also sells gas.
Aside from a ridiculous number of gas pumps, Buc-ee’s is known for having the cleanest bathrooms in America and a store the size of a small grocery with a wide variety of well-received store-brand products such as jerky, roasted nuts, fudge, brisket, the signature Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets and much more, along with the usual gas station items.
Most gas stations don’t sell entire BBQ grills and housewares, though, or feature a big, cheerful, buck-toothed mascot that grins at you from T-shirts, mugs, toys, snacks or a statue out in front.
The chain is also known for its excellent per-hour starting pay and benefits with paychecks ranging from $16 to $32 per hour and salaries crossing into six figures for management.
Here’s what to know.
Where are the Buc-ee’s in Florida?
There are currently two Buc-ee’s in Florida:
Where are new Buc-ee’s coming to Florida?
Bucc-ee’s officials have big plans to expand their footprint in the Sunshine State.
A rumored one in Lee County didn’t work out.
Where is the largest Buc-ee’s?
The largest Buc-ee’s is in Luling, Texas spreading 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 has said it wants to keep the Texas-sized stores inside Texas.
“Regarding square footage, the largest store outside of Texas will not exceed 74,000 square feet,” a company spokesperson said in an email in 2024 after rumors arose about the new Ocala store potentially breaking the record.
What is Buc-ee’s?
Buc-ee’s began in Texas in 1982 and stayed in the Lone Star State for years, but the chain has been making inroads into the Sunshine State and elsewhere. Locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and serve as one-stop shops for travelers and locals.
They’re known for cheap(er) gas at each location’s insane number of gas pumps; a wide variety of hot food, bakery items and fudge prepared on site; a wider 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’re also justifiably famous for their clean bathrooms, which are also enormous.
Buc-ee’s was rated by GasBuddy.com as having the cleanest restrooms of any convenience store chain in the nation. And for their starting pay, which is often plainly listed on big display boards outside when they’re hiring.
In May 2024, USA TODAY’s 10Best chose Buc-ee’s as the 10th best for both Best Gas Station Brand and Best Gas Station for Food.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A new Buc-ee’s is coming to Florida. Here’s what to expect
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
