The Midwest’s First Buc-ee’s Location is Now Open

The long wait is over. After 41 years, the first Buc-ee's in the Midwest opened on Monday, December 11.

The very first Buc-ee's started welcoming Texans in Lake Jackson in 1982. Since then, the company has opened more than 45 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. All the stores outside Texas have been added in the last five years.

Late last winter, we told you about Buc-ee's plan for "spreading the love into the rest of the world." That is happening.

*Beaver Nuggets are one of Buc-ee's most popular snacks. We have photos of many of their sought-after items at the bottom of this story.

On Monday, December 11 at 6 a.m., the northernmost Buc-ee's (to this point) opened in Springfield, Missouri. The 53,000-square-foot facility is located just off I-44, has 120 pumps, and 200 full-time employees.

The company that boasts it has the "cleanest restrooms in America" has begun hiring for its first store in Colorado. Located north of Denver in Jamestown, it's expected to open in March of 2024. Stores in Ohio and Virginia are also planned.

Here in the Midwest, Wisconsin continues to make plans for a new Buc-ee's in DeForest, which is north of Madison and about three hours from both Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.

Buc-ee's announced the 74,000-square-foot DeForest store early this year. It's expected to have 120 fueling stations, under two canopies. It would also have over 600 parking spots.

Signaling the plan continues to move forward, DeForest city officials have asked the state for a larger interchange near the future location of the Buc-ee's. They believe it will be necessary to not only accommodate Buc-ee's but also allow for other development that is likely to come with the store.

If everything continues to progress for the DeForest location, construction is expected to begin in May of 2024. It would likely open some time in 2025.