LULING, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Texas will once again be home to the largest convenience store in the world, with Buc-ee's officials announcing Wednesday that the company will rebuild its Luling store beginning this fall.
The Luling location, first opened in 2003, was the convenience store chain's first "family travel center" location. After two expansion projects in 2006 and 2009, the existing location stands at more than 33,000 square feet.
The newly built travel center, which will be built next door to the existing location, will occupy more than 75,000 square feet. Officials say it will feature 120 fueling pumps - along with the chain's usual complement of award-winning restrooms, food, and drink options for travelers on the go.
Buc-ee's is no stranger to pushing the envelope with its latest travel center designs. The company's New Braunfels store, opened in 2012 at more than 66,000 square feet and a cost of more than $7 million, was previously the world's largest.
The company is currently building a travel center that occupies more than 74,000 square feet in Sevierville, Tenn., part of the company's expansion efforts outside of the Lone Star State. That store, which is expected to open in 2023, will steal the title of "world's largest" until the new Luling store is completed. Another 74,000 square foot location is under construction in Johnstown, Colorado, set to open in 2024.
"Twenty years ago, Beaver and Don had the gumption to change the industry by building the first Buc-ee’s Family Travel Center in Luling," said Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s. "Since that time, Buc-ee’s has grown into an iconic Texas brand that now shares our Texas pride with new stores throughout the Southeast and West. We are humbled to have this opportunity to strengthen our roots in Texas and will continue to exceed our customers’ expectations every chance we get."
Buc-ee's, which is headquartered in Lake Jackson, currently has 35 stores across Texas and eight locations in other states.