LULING, Texas — The world's biggest Buc-ee's is now open for business in Luling, Texas.
Dozens of excited customers were waiting in line when the massive travel center on I-10 opened for the first time on Monday.
One of them was Mickey Boucher from Houston. She was downright giddy as she explained why she got up early for the road trip to the Hill Country.
“The thing is, hospitality has always been a passion that God has given me and I really feel like Buc-ee’s does that really, really well,” Boucher told KVUE, our sister station in Austin.
The big Buc-ee's fan said the two-hour-plus trip from H-Town was well worth it.
“This was something I could do that brought me joy today,” Boucher said. “I wouldn’t miss it for an extra two hours of sleep, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
So, what is it that makes Buc-ee's so popular? A lot of customers stop there because of the clean bathrooms, others love the barbecue and some can't get enough of those Beaver Nuggets.
For Boucher, it's the consistency of the Buc-ee's brand, combined with tradition and friendly employees.
“We’re not the only ones hooping and hollering, they’re doing it, too,” she said.
For those of you keeping score, this 75,000-square-foot location is 1,000 square feet larger than the Tennessee store that had been the biggest Buc-ee's.
It replaces the brand's very first family travel center, which opened in Luling in 2003.
It's the 50th Buc-ee's nationwide, including 36 in Texas.