If you’ve ever traveled through or around Texas, there’s a chance you’ve passed by or stopped at a Buc-ee’s — a chain store famous for its bathrooms, jerky, fudges and branded T-shirts. But Buc-ee’s stores aren’t just renowned landmarks or tourist attractions: They offer services that many drivers and truckers need — from gas and clean bathrooms to beef-jerky and potato. But can you buy lottery tickets at one of their stores?
Buc-ee’s does not sell lottery tickets at any of its retail locations. It is unclear why the company does not sell lottery tickets, but it is likely because of religious reasons or to increase the speed of service. After all, lottery sale lines tend to move slowly.
Regardless of Buc-ee’s reason for not selling lottery tickets, it’s clear that it has evolved to become more than just a chain of convenience stores for many Americans. Read on to know more about Buc-ee’s and how it’s become one of the most revered names in bathrooms and road trips.
What Is Buc-ee’s?
Texas is famous for a lot of things. For one, it’s fast becoming the center of the tech industry, with many Silicon Valley companies moving their production and administrative offices to the Lone Star State. Texas is also known for its heat, football, cowboys, tourist attractions, affordable cost of living, and — of course — Buc-ee’s.
Buc-ee’s is a nationwide chain store mainly based in Texas and Southern states like Alabama and Kentucky. The chain is comprised of convenience stores and gas stations, and Buc-ee’s sites are famous road trip stops and attractions.
Although Buc-ee’s is well-known for its large structures, it’s also a popular spot for travelers due to its clean bathrooms and world-record-holding sites. Many people view Buc-ee’s as the standard in road trip food and gas-filling experiences. This is due to the many foods you can get at Buc-ee’s, from jerky to sandwiches and even tacos.
You can also get regular household items and anything else you’ll find at typical convenience stores at Buc-ee’s. Buc-ee’s stores are always open, and you can experience excellent customer service no matter which of its 40 locations you visit.
History of Buc-ee’s
Of course, like every good American business, Buc-ee’s has quite a tale surrounding its creation and eventual success. The chain store was started by Arch “Beaver” Aplin and Don Wasek in 1982 as a single store in Clute, Texas. “Buc-ee’s” might seem like a pretty peculiar name, and that’s because it was invented by the company’s co-founders when they opened the first store.
The name is a fusion of many different ideas: Arch Aplin’s childhood nickname and the name of his dog, a Labrador retriever — both “Buck.”
The Buc-ee’s title quickly stuck and became popular because of its appeal and down-to-earth feel. Aplin has also shared that the Ipana toothpaste mascot, Bucky the beaver, was crucial to creating the company’s name. It’s not surprising, since the Disney-created Ipana mascot was one of the most famous brand mascots in the 1950s.
Since 1982, Buc-ee’s has expanded to several parts of Texas, with new travel centers in Luling in 2001 and subsequent sites in other parts of the Lone Star State. After opening the largest convenience store in the world (67,000 square feet or 6224.5 square meters) in 2012, Buc-ee’s expanded to Alabama in 2018 and Georgia in 2019.
Is Buc-ee’s a Texas Thing?
The store is so common in the Lone Star State and its neighbors that many Texans agree that you haven’t truly experienced a road trip to Texas if you don’t stop at a Buc-ee’s for a potty break or a delicious snack (not necessarily in that order). But is Buc-ee’s a Texas thing, or can you find one of their stores in your city?
Buc-ee’s is not just a Texas thing. Although the convenience store started in Texas and has most of its sites in the state, many Buc-ee’s stores are in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama. There are also plans to build more travel centers in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Colorado.
However, there’s no doubt the chain store has Texas roots, and you’ll find many beloved Texan treats like jerky, kolaches, and homemade fudge if you walk into any one of their stores.
Of course, you’ll be greeted by helpful and friendly staff with smiling faces and a cute beaver mascot. It’s pretty much like you’re in a Texan wonderland.
Key Takeaways
Buc-ee’s is a nationwide chain store mainly based in Texas and Southern states like Alabama and Kentucky. Although you cannot get lottery tickets at any of their sites, you can be assured of clean bathrooms and unique stop experiences during road trips at any time.
Buc-ee’s initially started in Texas, but it has spread to other parts of the United States, with stores in Florida and Kentucky and plans to build more in locations like South Carolina and Colorado.
