The Buc-ee’s Bonanza

by Lauren Kruchten | Jan 15, 2024 | Buzz, December 2023/January 2024

What’s the big deal with the new gas station coming to Mebane?

NC’er’s tend to fall into two distinct categories: they either love Buc-ee’s or they despise it. (Save those who have never heard of it… and, to them, well, brace yourselves.) The Texas-founded gas station chain with a cult following has been itching to set roots in-state for a while now—and, as of January, Mebane is set to get its first one by ~2025 (!).

But the news didn’t come without its difficulties. See: the eight-hour Mebane City Council meeting that inched into the wee hours of the night in early Jan, ultimately resulting in a unanimous vote in favor of NC’s first Buc-ee’s location. The Alamance County pit stop at Exit 152 on Interstates 85/40 will boast a 74,000-square-foot convenience store situated on 32 acres, complete with 120 gas pumps, 24 electric vehicle charging stations and 652 parking spaces.

And so comes the fanfare. While those unfamiliar with (or who even dislike) Buc-ee’s cult-like following quickly dismissed the news, those who get it know the beloved beaver-mascotted store is more than just a gas station.

Fans love it for the cheap gas, clean private bathrooms and freshly made food options—think breakfast burritos, brisket sandwiches and other barbecue selects, tacos, kolaches, and beyond. NTM the pastries (think muffins, scones, cookies, cinnamon rolls) and snack selection, aka enough to fuel a monthlong road trip. Choose from ample flavors of jerky; fudge and candies; chips; and—a crowd favorite—Bucee’s Nuggets, aka brown sugar caramel corn puffs (or, my personal pick, the White Cheddar Buc-ee’s Nugg-ees).

Beyond that, let’s be honest, the beaver mascot is adorable (you can sometimes catch him walking around the store to snap pics with eager patrons!), and the merch is fire. Seriously, almost everything you could think of—T-shirts, sweatshirts and other apparel; lunch boxes; beach chairs; even Christmas decorations—is splashed in bright red, yellow and the Buc-ee’s logo and laid out for sale. And these are just some of the attractions that contribute to the passion.

And precisely why Buc-ee’s is more than just another gas station. It’s essentially a tourist attraction. So, fair warning: We predict soon after Mebane’s location opens it will be packed (like, to the point where it may block the interstate—seriously). And as someone who ventured into South Carolina’s first outpost the weekend after it opened in Florence in May 2022, I cannot stress enough how annoying a crowded gas station is. But give it a couple months or so and I guarantee it’ll be your new fave stop.