Local News
By Michael Torley, Staff Writer
Ohio has a new resident, and unlike most, he is a beaver.
Buc-ee’s recently celebrated the opening of its first location in Huber Heights, about an hour north of Xavier.
The Texas chain announced its breakthrough into the Buckeye state in August 2023, with the new location breaking ground in August 2024. After over a year, the new location opened on April 6.
The location, located on I-70 just north of Dayton, serves the Dayton area alongside travelers coming from Columbus and Indianapolis.
Buc-ee’s got its start in 1982 with the opening of its first location in Lake Jackson, Texas, just south of Houston. As the company expanded from small gas stations to large travel centers, Buc-ee’s developed some core aspects of its identity, scaling their business while maintaining their brand identity.
From endless gas pumps to the constant supply of Beaver Nuggets, these expectations have been met across the south, where most Buc-ee’s are located.
Large crowds have welcomed Buc-ee’s to the Buckeye state.
One thing is apparent from the moment you pull up to Buc-ee’s — get ready for the crowds. Since April 6, Ohio has entered “Buc-ee’s Mania,” with people from all across the state flocking to see the beaver. Buc-ee’s made over $1 million in its first day. That’s the dedication people have for the beaver.
On this particular day, it was not hard to find a gas pump to fill up, however it took a little bit of time to find an open parking spot. Gas was also cheaper than in surrounding areas, at $3.49/gallon for regular.
Once inside, it was busy. While I’ve been to numerous Buc-ee’s in the past, none of those locations had the same amount of people as this one. Despite the increased foot-traffic, the location was well-stocked, including plenty of the brand’s famous Beaver Nuggets and jerky.
Also well-supplied was Buc-ee’s various stations for barbecued meat and Texan cuisine, most notably their famous Texas Brisket. These stations worked like an assembly line, each employee working jointly — even if they were at different stations — helping to serve the never-ending stream of customers looking for some food.
In addition to the regular gas station and travel center staples, Buc-ee’s also provides some more unique options in purchasable merchandise, from home décor to the section of the store comparable to a shrine for the beaver, where Buc-ee the Beaver is plastered on anything in sight.
Buc-ee’s has enlisted a large and strong staff to serve the constant flow of customers seeking their staple roadside food.
The bathrooms, which Buc-ee’s has always held up to a high standard in terms of cleanliness, did pass their mark in the Ohio location. The bathrooms are industrial style in ensuring convenience between stalls, sinks and the entry/exit for customers. In addition, I noticed a staff member on site in the bathrooms to ensure cleanliness and maintain quality.
If you’re looking for some cheap gas, I wouldn’t put in all the effort to go to Buc-ee’s just for that. Buc-ee’s is an experience and is definitely worth the stop if you are traveling on I-70 between Indy and Columbus. As for Xavier, I would argue it is all about how far one will go for Beaver Nuggets and some Texas Brisket.
Buc-ee’s has announced plans to build a second Ohio location in Mansfield, located between Columbus and Cleveland on I-71. As of now, an opening date has not been set.
