Latest news with #Bucees
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buc-ee's flap: See why NC activists are speaking out against state's 1st Buc-ee's location
Despite the cult following travel center chain Buc-ee's has amassed across the country, not everyone is excited about the construction of North Carolina's first location. NC activist group 7 Directions of Service has spoken out against the new location with demonstrations, statements and a 40-page report published May 27, 2025, titled "Buc-ee's Burden: How Mega Gas Stations Hurt Community Health and Wealth." The nonprofit, which focuses on cultural and land reclamation and indigenous leadership, among other things, lists four major issues the organization takes with Buc-ee's on a webpage devoted to NC's Occaneechi Path: Environmental impact - The 7 Directions website states that emissions from the concentration of just 200 running vehicles can create harmful conditions for breathing. With 25,000 estimated daily visitors, 7 Directions warns that the new Buc-ee's travel center will result in an "air pollution hot-spot" in a location that is home to schools and low-income neighborhoods. Threats to a historical indigenous site - "The entirety of the great Occaneechi Trading Path ran from Virginia to Alabama, and a significant section of the path in Mebane, NC is threatened by Buc-ee's," the 7 Directions website states. Unethical workplace practices - 7 Directions cites a Texas court's 2017 ruling against Buc-ee's, in which repayment provisions in employment agreements were likened to "indentured servitude." The website also references employee ratings on job websites including Indeed and Glassdor, which rank the chain "lower than most major corporations, even worse than Amazon." Fossil fuels - "An economy tied to fossil fuels is unpredictable and makes us vulnerable to foreign supply chain disruptions and conflicts," 7 Directions stated in its report. "Renewable sources like solar and wind are more reliable and cheaper, and transitioning to them will help us avoid the worst of the climate crisis." More information on the subject, including the 40-page report, can be found on the 7 Directions website at The Mebane Buc-ee's opening is planned for late 2026 or early 2027. The NC Buc-ee's site is located at 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road, Mebane, NC 27302, near the merger of Interstates 85 and 40. Southern Living reported that the new location will measure in at a sprawling 75,000 square feet, with 120 fueling stations and more than 600 parking spaces planned. Mebane is about 200 miles east of Asheville on I-40. According to Google Maps, it will take about three hours to drive to the new Buc-ee's. The Mebane Buc-ee's will be the state's first location. Currently, the chain has stores in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The Mebane Buc-ee's is one of a list of locations set to open across the country. USA TODAY Network reported that stores will open soon in the following locations: Goodyear, Arizona: June 2026 Benton, Arkansas: September 2026 Ocala, Florida: 2026 Brunswick, Georgia: July 2025 Monroe County, Georgia: Early 2026 Harrison County, Mississippi: 2025 Mebane, North Carolina: Late 2026 or early 2027 Huber Heights, Ohio: April 2026 Boerne, Texas: 2026 San Marcos, Texas: May 2026 Rockingham County, Virginia: 2025 Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When does the NC Buc-ee's open? Activists protest NC's first location
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor proposes change to half-cent sales tax criteria. Could it bring a Costco to Pueblo?
Could changes to Pueblo's half-cent sales tax for economic development help the city attract a Jellystone RV Park, Costco, Buc-ee's, or Super Target? Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham proposed changes to the way the sales tax funds could be used at a June 16 Pueblo City Council work session. Council is set to vote June 23 on an ordinance that enacts the proposed changes. The current criteria ordinance — extended in 2020 to last through Dec. 31, 2026 — allows half-cent sales tax funds to be spent on "primary job-creating capital improvement projects." The ordinance presented by Graham on June 16 would allow funding for "economic catalyst projects," projects that prevent "economic leakage," and projects promoting "placemaking." "I have been traveling around Colorado, viewing some other cities and counties, and seeing what they do as far as economic development and how they are thriving, while the city of Pueblo just remains stagnant," Graham said. In her June 16 presentation, Graham defined an economic catalyst project as one that substantially impacts a community by creating jobs, bolstering consumer spending, attracting outside investment, or growing the tax base. She listed infrastructure for businesses along Pueblo Boulevard, a sports complex, and an aquatic center as potential economic catalyst projects for Pueblo. New businesses like Buc-ee's, Costco, or Super Target were listed as examples of projects that could prevent economic leakage — drops in local revenue caused by the outflow of resources into nearby communities. "We know that many consumers within the city of Pueblo drive to Colorado Springs to enjoy Costco and Super Target," Graham said. "I am not sure if anyone from Pueblo drives up to Buc-ee's, but this would be an example of something that we can incentivize, that we can not incentivize at this point because of the criteria ordinance." Jellystone RV Park was given as an example of placemaking — "the process and act of creating high-quality public spaces and amenities that encourage people to want to live, work, play and learn in the city, community, or region," according to the presentation. Annual expended totals for one or more projects classified as economic catalyst projects, economic leakage prevention, or placemaking would not be allowed to exceed 15% of the Sales and Use Tax Capital Improvement Project Fund's uncommitted fund balance. Pueblo City Council also would remain the only authority able to approve projects and grant variances if the ordinance is approved. Pueblo City Council elections: Sam Hernandez announces second bid for Pueblo City Council, this time an at-large seat Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@ Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Could changing the half-cent sales tax bring a Costco to Pueblo?
New York Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: Gas, Barbecue and Cowhide Rugs: A Texas-Size Pit Stop Spreads
'It's the Walmart of gas stations.' KALI HUSBAND, who first visited the popular Buc-ee's gas station and convenience store when she was on a road trip, and her bus broke down near one.
New York Times
7 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Buc-ee's, a Pit Stop to Refuel Cars, Stomachs and Souls, Spreads Beyond Texas
On practically any other day, the acres of pavement would have had more than enough room for anyone needing a parking spot. Not on this one. Hundreds of vehicles pulling off Interstate 10 last Monday morning circled the giant lot. Television crews had come from hours away. Some people had even camped out overnight, aiming to be the first customers when the doors were unlocked and the gas pumps went online at 6 a.m. This wasn't just any gas station and convenience store. A Buc-ee's was opening in Mississippi. 'We fell in love!' said Diane S. Carter, who was celebrating her 35th wedding anniversary but was referring to her and her husband's passion for Buc-ee's, so strong that they had driven nearly three hours and secured a hotel room in Biloxi to be there for the opening. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Gas Stations Are Adding E.V. Chargers and Reasons to Wait Around
Gas stations are a lot bigger these days, and there's a new reason for them to keep growing: electric vehicles. As battery-powered cars become more common on roadways, more gas stations are installing chargers alongside old-fashioned pumps. But E.V. charging takes time, so gas station operators are turning their stores into shopping centers where people can spend time — and money — while they wait for cars to charge. Doing so often means supersizing the business. Buc-ee's, which has 51 locations primarily in the South and is working with Mercedes-Benz to offer E.V. charging, has stations as big as 75,000 square feet. 'What you are seeing is retailers preparing for what is to come,' said Kevin Hart, the chief sales officer at Upside, which works with retailers, including convenience stores and gas stations, to offer customers rewards on their purchases. 'The last thing they want is you coming, plugging in your car to an E.V. charging station and sitting in your car, so they have to create a shopping experience,' Mr. Hart said. 'That is not how they thought 15 years ago.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
