Buc-ee’s in SW Florida? Next Steps
What’s the next step on possible Southwest Florida land for a mega-sized Buc-ee’s? When is a key vote related to potential project on the Peace River?
- The popular gas station and convenience store chain Buc-ee’s is officially coming to Tallahassee.
- Plans for the new location include a 75,000-square-foot store, 120 gas pumps, and 795 parking spots.
- Buc-ee’s is also planning new locations in Ocala, Fort Pierce, and Port Charlotte, adding to its two existing Florida stores.
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:
- St. Augustine, 200 World Commerce Parkway: Opened in February 2021 with 52,600 square feet and 104 fueling stations
- Daytona Beach, 2330 Gateway North Drive: Opened in March 2021 with 53,000 square feet and 104 fueling stations. This one added a massive, 235-foot long car wash last year.
WATCH: Take a wild ride through the new Buc-ee’s car wash in Daytona
Daytona Beach News-Journal Business Editor Clayton Park gave Florida’s longest car wash tunnel a try. The 235-foot-long car wash opened July 17, 2024.
Where are new Buc-ee’s coming to Florida?
Bucc-ee’s officials have big plans to expand their footprint in the Sunshine State.
- Ocala, Marion County: In February, Gov Ron DeSantis was on hand to break ground for a new I-75 store that is scheduled to get a Buc-ee’s with 74,000 square feet and 120 fueling stations. An opening date has not been set since it relies on completion of the interchange first.
- Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County: A planned location at I-95 northwest of Fort Pierce and southwest of Vero Beach would be 76,245 square feet with 120 gas pumps, 18 EV charging stations and 778 parking spaces. The state signed off in April, and the company has proposed several site plans for county approval. The first billboards appeared near the planned location in late September.
- Tallahassee, Leon County: Buc-ee’s submitted a permit application in February with plans for a proposed 75,000 square foot store, with 120 gas pumps and 24 EV charging stations. If it goes through, this would be one of the largest Buc-ee’s in the country.
- Port Charlotte, Charlotte County: There are plans for a Buc-ee’s in a trio of villages near a new Harborview development in Southwest Florida. Depending on the zoning, it’s planned to be around 74.000 square feet, according to Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s national director of real estate and development.
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’s the big deal about Buc-ee’s? We take a roadtrip to find out
Buc-ee’s, a gas station convenience store chain founded in Texas in the 1980s, has developed a cult following online. Does it live up to the hype?
McClatchy – Raleigh News & Observer
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.
