Buc-ee's In Bastrop, Texas, Deemed Safe Following Bomb Threat

BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS — The Buc-ee's travel center in Bastrop, Texas, was deemed safe three hours after a bomb threat on Sunday, officials said.

Police responded to the threat at around 4:30 p.m. on Veterans Day that prompted an evacuation of the building. Some three hours later, Austin bomb squad crews aided by canines deemed the building safe with no evidence of an explosive device found.

Employees who had been temporarily housed at a business across the street as a precaution were allowed back into the building by Sunday evening. Officials said the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no lingering threat to the public at large.

The Buc-ee's site at 1700 Highway 71 East is located some 33 miles southeast of Austin.

From earlier:

BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS — Law enforcement officials were investigating a bomb threat at the Buc-ee's travel center in Bastrop, Texas, on Sunday afternoon, prompting an evacuation as police sweep the property as a precaution.

According to county officials, the Austin bomb squad was at the scene conducting a search of the property. "Residents should remain calm and avoid area while emergency staff continue to investigate," officials advised via Twitter. The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office responded to the Buc-ee's at 1700 Highway 71 East around 4:30 p.m., according to reports.

The threat came during Veterans Day, a popular day for travel among Texas motorists. For the uninitiated, Buc-ee's is a chain of "Texas-sized" gas station/convenience store chain offering industry staples (and more) on a massive scale. Motorists driving up to one of more than three dozen Buc-ee's facilities in Texas rarely need to wait to fuel up given the dozens of pumps at the typical store.

Inside each expansive Buc-ee's store, visitors can stock up on snacks for their drive, including items not offered at standard convenience store options — the chain's signature "Beaver Nuggets" referencing its titular mascot, comprising light, caramel-flavored puffs that can prove to be an addicting snack; candied jalapeños that are poured over cream cheese and often served with crackers for unique noshing purposes; “Sizzlin’ Saltines” spicy crackers for those preferring a salty dining option; sugar-coated pecans; a dizzying array of beef jerky; and other unique food fare.

There are now 40 Buc-ee's locations in Texas, with the chain's status as an industry phenomenon firmly established. In 2012, the chain opened its largest travel center in New Braunfels, Texas, just outside San Antonio along Interstate 35. The New Braunfels location is the largest convenience store in the world at 68,000 square feet, features 120 fueling positions, 83 toilets, 31 cash registers, four Icee machines, and 80 fountain dispensers.

This is a developing story. Patch will updates as more details are known. Bastrop is located some 33 miles southeast of Austin.

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