Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s location may be opening sooner than expected, according to a recent release from Harrison County officials.
Developers have been working around the clock on the construction of the new 74,000-square-foot travel center since first breaking ground in mid-September. Located at I-10 and Menge Avenue near Gulfport, the facility is set to offer 120 fueling stations and 24 EV charging stations for travelers driving between Louisiana and Alabama.
Since then, officials with the Harrison County Development Commission have confirmed that the $50 million project is projected to be completed months in advance, as the travel center was first expected to be open to the public by the spring of 2025.
“Harrison County is a vibrant community with five thriving cities and stunning beaches,” Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s said. “It’s perfectly situated along I-10 between our Texas and Alabama stores and we can’t wait to be the best place to stop on the Mississippi Coast.”
Now, Buc-ee’s fans and travelers are expected to be able to stop at the new facility by the end of 2024, with some saying that construction could be finished before December.
Visitors can find thousands of snack, meal, and drink options, as well as the same award-winning restrooms, cheap gas, and products that the travel center has offered for over four decades. Additional fan favorites such as Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, jerky, and fresh pastries will also be available.
Founded in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee’s currently operates 48 stores across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Here are a few quick facts to know about the colossal convenience store before it hits the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Buc-ee’s will undoubtedly help the local economy
On average, each Buc-ee’s location creates at least 200 jobs with good pay too. As of this year, the store’s cashiers are making a little over $17 per hour while team leaders earn up to $21 per hour. For a state that has a $7.25 minimum wage, that’s a huge pay raise for many. Each Mississippi employee is also expected to receive full benefits, a six percent matching 401K, and three weeks of paid vacation.
Buc-ee’s is not a truck stop
Being the world’s largest gas station, you would expect to see a ton of big rigs at Buc-ee’s. Well, that’s not the case as no Buc-ee’s franchises offer gas pumps for 18-wheelers, and sources have confirmed to SuperTalk Mississippi News that Mississippi’s location will not be the first to break that trend either.
Gotta pee?
If you’ve got to make a pit stop next time you’re on the road, you might want to consider stopping at Buc-ee’s as the store recently won a contest hosted by the Cintas Corporation, awarding them the title of “Cleanest Bathrooms in America.” On top of the cleanliness, there are rarely any waits as some of the locations have over 33 urinals for the guys alone.
Hungry?
Buc-ee’s is famous for its overwhelming selection of food. From BBQ beef brisket sandwiches to a plethora of trail mixes and jerkies, Buc-ee’s food is like no other. There are so many options that a guy by the name of James Scott even wrote a book about all the food at Buc-ee’s.
Buc-ee’s holds a couple of world records
Besides Buc-ee’s literally being the world’s largest convenience store (for perspective, the New Braunfels, Texas location could fit 22 7-Eleven stores or two Whole Foods stores inside), it also holds the record for world’s longest car wash, clocking in at 255 feet of conveyor.
