Overview:
Last year, Mebane City Council members unanimously approved a re-zoning and special permit, paving the way for North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s travel center in Mebane. Some residents and activists have raised environmental concerns against the project. Since breaking ground last fall, the Texas-based company has faced delays that have pushed back its opening date to late 2027, Buc-ee’s previously confirmed to The (Raleigh) News & Observer.
Where will it be?
North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s travel center is slated for 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road in Mebane. It’s in N.C. Commerce Park, where companies like Walmart, Amazon, UPS and Lidl have warehouses and distribution centers.
What is the need?
There are currently two other travel centers and truck stops along Trollingwood-Hawfields Road: A Love’s and a Pilot, across from the proposed Buc-ee’s. Another Pilot and a Flying J travel center are located at the next exit, on I-40 westbound.
At approximately 75,000 square feet in size, with 120 gas pumps and more than 600 parking spaces, the Buc-ee’s location is expected to be massive compared to its competitors. And it’s not even the largest one in the country, according to Southern Living.
Why is it delayed?
It’s still not clear what’s causing the hold up. The Alamance Fabric asked Buc-ee’s about what caused the delay announcement, where construction stands, whether the company has faced any difficulty working with the cities of Mebane and Graham due to their ongoing water treatment plant litigation, and why this location was chosen considering there are other nearby travel centers. A Buc-ee’s spokesperson declined The Fabric’s request for comment.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is stepping in to spend roughly $33 million to upgrade the interstate interchange to help with the anticipated increase in traffic, Triad Business Journal reported.
“NCDOT has not experienced any unforeseen delays in construction,” Jordan Campos, public information officer for the NCDOT region that covers Alamance and other surrounding counties, said. “NCDOT cannot comment on Buc-ee’s construction timeline or store opening date.”
A spokesperson for Mebane told The N&O the city hasn’t received a building permit application for the Buc-ee’s, which typically takes 12 to 18 months to build.
Why is it so popular?
Buc-ee’s cult-like following is attributed not only to its cartoon “Buc-ee the Beaver” mascot featured in the company’s iconic logo and merch, but also to its massive size and extensive food selection, including brisket, flavored jerky and several beaver-themed snacks.
Nationally, the company has an avid fan following who will drive hundreds of miles to visit the travel centers, CNN reported.
But not everyone is a fan. Residents in Mebane have expressed concerns about pollution, land conservation, and quality of life issues that come with a massive travel center like Buc-ee’s. Locally, groups like Haw River Assembly and the NC Environmental Justice Network have led the charge.
“We have concerns about Underground Storage Tank leaks or incidents, which would contaminate groundwater and the two adjacent tributaries to Back Creek,” Haw River Assembly shared in a report following the January 2024 vote. “Just 10 gallons of petroleum hydrocarbons can contaminate up to 12 million gallons of drinking water.”
“This company has much work to do to build trust in this community, and it can start by going beyond bare minimum requirements to protect our communities and our water quality,” Haw Riverkeeper Emily Sutton said in a statement.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
