It was barely sunrise in Pass Christian, Miss., where last week the newest Buc-ee’s Travel Center officially opened for the first time – and Suzanne West was there.
For those who know the Norco woman well, that’s no surprise at all.
West is a self-professed superfan of the rapidly growing chain of megastores. What was once a strictly Texas-based chain expanded outward in 2019, when Alabama marked its first out of state site. Since then, more than 30 additional sites have opened across the country – with each grand opening bringing a rush of Buc-ee’s fans along with it.
West has visited 32 different Buc-ee’s sites – more than half of the stores nationwide -including the new addition in Pass Christian. Most of the time, she adds to a growing collection of souvenir T-shirts to continue her personal fan tradition, and this time was no different.
Well, it was a bit different.
“This one just says ‘Mississippi,’ which is kind of odd,” she said, noting how most shirts name the city. “But I had to have it either way.”
West made the trip to Mississippi with her boyfriend, whose brother has a home in Pass Christian. They stayed there the night before.
A veteran of the Buc-ee’s experience, West said this time was a bit more laid back than what she’s gotten used to, even with it being this store’s first day.
“Actually, for being an opening morning, it was pretty relaxed, not very crowded,” West said. “I think because it was a Monday morning and most people are working. I had just had knee surgery and was fortunate to still be off and able to go over, so it worked out well.”
West is far from alone in her love for Buc-ee’s. These kinds of store openings have become destination events for the store’s fandom, often with hundreds camping out overnight to be among the first through the doors.
She’s part of a Facebook group of fans – and importantly, shoppers. The group members will collaborate and an item available in one area of the country may not be in another area. The members work together to fetch merchandise for one another.
And that merchandise is part of the grand appeal.
The company’s tagline is “Everything you need and more under one massive roof.” The typical Buc-ee’s store spans 50,000-plus feet and features 80 to 120 fueling pumps. Inside, you’ll find fresh bakery items, barbecue sandwiches, breakfast tacos, fudge and chicken nuggets among the many food items. There are T-shirts, plushies, home decor, hunting gear and novelty items.
The store has also become something of a cultural phenomenon. TikTok and Instagram are packed with videos of shoppers showing their Buc-ee’s hauls and the stores have been featured on countless travel vlogs and TV shows. The cleanliness of the bathrooms have been “memed” into almost legend status on the internet.
For West, it’s more than a store or a gas station. It’s an experience, the variety, cleanliness – a big point of emphasis for the company – merchandise and overall energy.
It’s a destination.
Her first trip to a Buc-ee’s came in 2021 in Alabama, where West is originally from.
“I drove south to Mobile and stopped at the Buc-ee’s just to see what the fuss was all about,” she said. “There was so much there, and the food was good.”
The chopped brisket sandwich is her favorite item, though she notes many would cite the chain’s signature item, it’s “Beaver Nuggets” as the main attraction.
“Those are super popular,” she said. “They sell some unique food items. They’ve also got a Philly cheesesteak burrito I really like as well.”
Since that’s first visit, it’s taken on a life of its own for her.
She’s been to more than half of the stores and has T-shirts from nearly half of the 52 total sites. West doesn’t necessarily believe she’ll get to all of them, especially with new sites popping up left and right.
But there will be more road trips for sure. And you just never know what you’ll return home with.
Her furthest trip to a Buc-ee’s brought her to Johnstown, Colo. – though it wasn’t completely for that purpose. West’s daughter lives in Colorado Springs. They made a two-hour drive from there to Johnstown, where West wanted to bring home a Buc-ee’s item specific to Colorado – each store features some items unique from its sister stores and to the area.
“I bought a snow scraper built into a big Buc-ee mitten that goes halfway up your arm,” West said. “My daughter laughed about that. ‘When are you ever going to use that in the South?’”
In January, West indeed got to use it in the South.
“My Jeep was covered in snow and ice, and I had my Buc-ee’s snow scraper,” West said. “They really do have a little bit of everything.”
