Buc-ee’s is set to open its second Ohio location, and some residents aren’t thrilled.
Known for its brisket sandwiches and famously clean bathrooms, the popular travel stop chain expanded into Ohio, opening its first location in Huber Heights, near Dayton April 6. A second site has already been proposed in Mansfield, with Buc-ee’s completing a 37.5-acre land purchase, according to WEWS-TV (News 5 Cleveland).
Meanwhile, Buc-ee’s is under fire for suing Beaver’s Mini Mart, a small corner store that’s existed in the middle of a Beavercreek neighborhood for more than two decades, despite the location having no gas pumps and being miles from the nearest interstate.
In the lawsuit, filed July 28, Buc-ee’s said its customers may be confused by the mini mart’s logo, which features a smiling beaver standing tall next to the store’s name in a red-letter font. Beaver’s Mini Mart is about a 20-minute drive from the Huber Heights Buc-ee’s.
So, when will the second Ohio Buc-ee’s open? And how are residents reacting? Here’s what we know.
Where will the second Buc-ee’s Ohio location open?
Mansfield City Council approved a development agreement June 2 that will bring a 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s to a 37.5-acre site near Interstate 71 and Lucas Road.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry celebrated the decision, calling it a “huge milestone” for the project in a June 4 Facebook post.
The mayor previously shared her excitement over the potential development on March 9, saying, “A development of this size doesn’t come around all that often. It’s more than a gas station or restaurant or retail store. It’s a destination and experience that will undoubtedly make a substantial impact on our community.”
A petition to stop Buc-ee’s from opening in Mansfield
More than 2,000 people have signed a petition fighting against the planned Buc-ee’s location in Mansfield, citing environmental threats, safety concerns, traffic, and more.
The petition argues that the 24/7 gas station could bring the risk of increased crime, lower property values and environmental damage as the proposed site is in the vicinity of the Rocky Fork River and critical local aquifers.
“While proponents cite economic growth, the catastrophic risks to our environment, safety, and property rights far outweigh the perceived benefits,” the petition states.
Buc-ee’s lawsuit is one of many nationwide
The lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart is one of many lawsuits Buc-ee’s has filed over the years against businesses it claims has logos too similar to its own. In February, the chain sued the owner of the Ohio gas station chain Mickey Mart, claiming its smiling cartoon moose was too close to its ballcap-wearing beaver.
Criticism has been growing against the chain, including by comedian and “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver. Oliver ended an episode last week by inviting the company to “Buc-off” and announced he’s selling his own variation of the chain’s logo to try and goad Buc-ee’s into suing him.
How many Buc-ee’s are in the U.S.?
Buc-ee’s operates 56 locations, mostly across the South. Two of those are in Kentucky − in Richmond (south of Lexington) and Smiths Grove (south-central part of the state).
Contributing: David Ferrara, Gillian Stawiszynski and Alex Perry; The Cincinnati Enquirer.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A second Buc-ee’s is coming to Ohio. There’s a petition to stop it
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
