The Sunshine State may be getting a brand new Buc-ee’s location

The exterior of a Buc-ee’s gas station — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Joni Hanebutt

Wonderful news! The well-known Texas travel agency and gas station may open a new facility in Central Florida.

That’s correct, Beaver Nuggets (caramel popcorn) might be closer than you think, according to sources. According to WESH, Marion County officials will likely talk over a zoning proposal to build a Buc-ee’s gas station in Ocala.

The new Buc-ee’s store would be located on a more than 30-acre land just east of I-75 and close to Highway 326.

According to reports, the property would have an 80,000-square-foot travel center with more than 100 gas stations and all the traditional Buc-ee’s snacks and drinks.

Although Buc-ee’s are primarily found in Texas, there are two locations in Florida. Both Daytona Beach and St. Augustine have them.

The enormous gas station was established in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas, and has since spread to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among other states. The most prominent features of Buc-ee’s include its large stores, fuel pumps, spotless facilities, jerky, branded apparel, and Texas-style brisket sandwiches.

So why is Buc-ee’s called that? And what is the significance of the beaver mascot that serves as each location’s emblem? Texas Monthly claims that Aplin’s childhood nickname was “Beaver,” after the cartoon beaver that appeared in the Ipana toothpaste commercials that aired before he was born. The moniker stuck. The name and spelling were inspired by the high school he attended, which had a Buccaneer mascot. He commissioned the “Buc-ee the Beaver” emblem when he set out to create his first convenience shop, and the rest is history.

“Ever since our inception in 1982, we have been committed to providing a clean, friendly, and in-stock experience for our customers. Regardless of where you may find us, if the store is big or small, near or far, the mission remains the same,” states Buc-ee’s website.

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