Despite early opposition, Buc-ee’s, a Texas-based operator of super-sized gas stations, intends to move forward with plans to expand into Florida in 2019. Established by “Beaver” Aplin and Don Wasek in Lake Jackson, Texas in 1982, the travel center chain has a cult-like following and is known for posting billboards along interstate highways with humorous slogans such as “Clean Restrooms, We Guaranpee It”, “Don’t pass our gas” and “#bathroomgoals”. Buc-ee’s plans to open its initial Florida locations in St. Johns County, Daytona Beach and Fort Myers.
Proposed St. Johns County Buc-ee’s site plan
In St. Johns County, the chain has identified a site along World Commerce Parkway at the southwest quadrant of Interstate 95 and International Golf Parkway at World Golf Village. Here, the chain proposes a super-sized gas station featuring 104 gas pumps, 392 parking spaces and a convenience store larger than your average Publix supermarket. With this in mind, here’s a look at the chain’s location in Wharton, Texas to provide Jaxsons with a visual example of what’s headed to Northeast Florida.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Davis is a certified senior planner and graduate of Florida A&M University. He is the author of the award winning books “Reclaiming Jacksonville,” “Cohen Brothers: The Big Store” and “Images of Modern America: Jacksonville.” Davis has served with various organizations committed to improving urban communities, including the American Planning Association and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. A 2013 Next City Vanguard, Davis is the co-founder of Metro Jacksonville.com and ModernCities.com — two websites dedicated to promoting fiscally sustainable communities — and Transform Jax, a tactical urbanist group. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com