Buc-ee’s is set to break ground in Badger Country

Famed gas station chain Buc-ee’s is opening a new location in Wisconsin, the first in the state. Here’s what you need to know about the Oak Creek store.

As far as franchises go, Buc-ee’s is one of the biggest. The massive gas station chain originated in Texas and has expanded across eight additional states over the years. Now, Wisconsin is set to join the iconic elite with its very own Buc-ee’s location in Oak Creek, making it the first in the Badger State.

On Tuesday, the city’s planning commission officially approved plans for a 73,000-square foot store located near West Elm Road and South 27th Street. It’ll feature 20 electric vehicle chargers and 120 fueling stations, along with other Buc-ee’s classic offerings, like its Beaver Nuggets and apparel. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that the Oak Creek location will employ between 200 and 250 workers full-time, and offer $18-$20 per hour (along with benefits) for those employees.

Buc-ee’s director of real estate and development, Stan Beard, told WISN 12, “We’re really excited about being here and in Wisconsin.”

Though there’s excitement about the iconic chain coming to the state for the first time, locals initially expressed hesitation that Buc-ee’s has been working to alleviate since making the announcement.

The expansion initially received some backlash

Prior to Tuesday’s 8-0 vote in favor of Buc-ee’s building a new location in Oak Creek, neighborhood groups expressed concern over whether the gas station chain would add to traffic, noise, and pollution in the area. The mayor of Oak Creek, Daniel Bukiewicz, told reporters that he trusts the company and believes they’ll ensure there’s minimal disruption for locals. “They know the volume of traffic. They know their business. They know what they bring to the area,” he said.

Stan Beard echoed those sentiments, telling reporters, “We’ve got neighbors all over the country who live right next door to us. They didn’t want us there to begin with, either. We’re a good corporate partner. We’re a good local partner.” To help prove this, Buc-ee’s has agreed to pay between $5-$6 million for improvements that are needed to accommodate the 73,000 square-foot store. This includes expanding the I-94 interchange, along with West Elm Road and 27th Street, to ensure the gas station is accessible without disrupting the existing community.

When will the Oak Creek Buc-ee’s open?

Now that the project has received final approval from the Oak Creek planning commission, Buc-ee’s will proceed with gathering the necessary permits to begin construction on their first Wisconsin location. The developer for the project says they hope that construction can start later this year. Stan Beard told reporters that they’d ideally like to open the store to the public sometime in 2027.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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