Popular Southern Gas Station Chain Opening First Store in the Midwest

For years, the Midwest has been deprived of a popular southern oasis that has a cult following most businesses can only hope to achieve. Finally, however, Midwestern travelers, and particularly Wisconsin residents, will be able to experience the thrill of one of the most beloved gas station franchises in the world.

The Texas-based gas station supercenter Buc-ee's announced that they are planning to construct and open their first location in the Midwest. A proposal for a Buc-ee's location went to the DeForest Planning and Zoning Commission this week, per Madison.com, meaning the town of DeForest, WI could soon be home to the travel center.

Should the DeForest Buc-ee's open, it will be HUGE. A 73,400-square-foot establishment is planned for north of Highway V, just east of Highway I and west of Interstate 39/90/94.

Like most Buc-ee's locations, it would have over 100+ fueling stations under two canopies, roughly 613 parking spaces, and 20 charging stations for electric vehicles, according to the proposal. Buc-ee's also prides themselves on having "the world's cleanest restrooms," although they do not accommodate truckers and don't have a restaurant in-house, surprisingly.

Buc-ee's locations include everything from a bakery, fudge bar, kolaches, brisket, an extensive variety of sodas, coffees, and Icees, and even Dippin' Dots ice cream. They have their own brand of merchandise as well, ranging from shirts, hats, pants, blankets, and their own assortment of snack food.

Buc-ee's famously doesn't open locations in large metropolitan areas. Instead, they focus on heavy-traffic areas such as interstates that exist outside of those big cities. For example, one of their locations is positioned on Interstate 10, right between Houston and San Antonio, courting people traveling to/from either respective city.

Buc-ee's Director of Real Estate Stan Beard told the commission this week exactly what makes their travel centers such a unique entity unto themselves:

The theory of us is that we're a destination on your way to a destination, so we try to put ourselves in between a road trip.

 

Click here to view the proposal for Buc-ee's in DeForest, Wisconsin.