LULING, Texas — A popular rest stop franchise is opening a new location Monday, and it’s set to be its biggest one yet.
The newest Buc-ee's is in Luling, Texas, and the location has a special significance for the business.
Buc-ee's started as a gas station back in 1982, then opened its first travel center in 2003 in Luling. That original location closed its doors at 10 p.m. Sunday and the new location opened at 6 a.m. Monday.
Since the first travel center in 2003, Buc-ee's has turned into a place for people passing through to pick up their favorite items.
"I'm always getting their iced tea, their jerky," said Stephanie Green, who lives in San Antonio and was meeting her son, who lives in San Marcos, at the location in New Braunfels.
People also enjoy the fresh barbecue.
"I think it has to do with the barbecue. I think the variety of barbecue options are pretty great," said Joshua Perez, who was traveling from San Antonio to Dallas and stopped in at the New Braunfels location.
And, of course, who could forget the famous Beaver Nuggets?
"I love the beaver nuggets," said Jennifer Howard, who was traveling to Austin.
While people might come for the popular beaver nuggets or seasonal T-shirts or to try a sample of fudge, what keeps them coming back is something you can't pay for: the culture.
"It offers consistency. You know, when you show up, it's going to be clean. It's going to be friendly," Buc-ee's New Braunfels General Manager Scott Ramon said. "When people come in, they're so excited. It's like Disneyland here."
Ramon said the famous rest stop has built up popularity through its reputation – and customers tend to agree.
"I think you have to build a reputation. And so, having clean restrooms and you're easy to get into, easy to get out of, you have a huge variety of food. It just brings people in. And people love convenience," Howard said.
The clean bathrooms are especially important to visitors.
"I come here just for the bathrooms," said Phillip Santillanes, who was traveling with Howard to Austin.
The new Luling location will have twice as much of what people love, more than doubling the square footage of the original travel center and making it the biggest Buc-cee's yet.
Ramon also said the store will have an impact on the local community, not just travelers passing by. Buc-ee's offers more than 200 jobs with salaries well above minimum wage.