Buc-ee's Travel Center Planning First Virginia Location

NEW KENT COUNTY, VA — Buc-ee's, a Texas-based convenience store chain known for its beaver mascot and the "world's cleanest bathrooms," wants to build its first Virginia location in New Kent County.

According to New Kent County Economic Development officials, Buc-ee's submitted a conditional use permit to the county’s Planning and Zoning Department. Officials are reviewing the application, according to a Facebook post.

In the application, the company said it plans to construct a 74,000-square-foot store at the exit 211 interchange on Interstate 64. The massive travel center will have 120 fuel spots, 557 parking spaces, 24 Tesla charging spaces, and 10 bus and RV parking spaces.

If approved, the anticipated opening date would be 2027, officials said.

According to the company, “Buc-ee’s Travel Center is a family-focused travel center featuring a wide range of freshly prepared foods including home-crafted bbq, custom made sandwiches, fresh salads and fruits, baked goods, and sweets as well as a unique collection of gifts, housewares, clothing, and weekend get-away gear."

The Facebook announcement by New Kent County officials was shared more than 4,000 times and more than 1,500 users commented on the news.

Former Patch writer Mark Konkol discovered Buc-ee's "isn't just a stop for road-tripping" when he pulled off Interstate 95 in Florida to stroll down the aisles of the "Shangri-La of gas stations," as Gov. Ron DeSantis called the beaver gas palace when he cut the ribbon.

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"At 10 o'clock on a work night, the joint was hopping with 'beaver believers,'" Konkol wrote. "I immediately (and annoyingly) shouted every time I found a new product bearing a picture of Buc-ee's adorable beaver branding. There were beavers on coolers, koozies and all kinds of kitsch. We spotted beaver logos on boogie boards, beach towels and bandanas. You can get a beaver-themed grill, camping chair and pop-up canopy."

Hungry? Buc-ee the Beaver also has his own line of jalapeno-flavored chips, beef jerky, hot sauces, jellies, coffee, candy and animal crackers.

Buc'ee's corporate leaders also claim the rodent drew more visitors in 2019 than Mickey Mouse — 100 million visitors to 43 stores the year before coronavirus closed down businesses across the country. That's more people than all the Disney theme parks combined, according to Buc-ee's general counsel Jeff Nadalo.