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2 Buc-ee's gas stations are expected to open in North Texas in 2019

Fans of Buc-ee's will find two reasons to celebrate in 2019, with locations in Melissa and Royse City expected to open this year.

The gas station company (that's so much more than a gas station) has been steadily growing across Dallas-Fort Worth. Buc-ee's currently operates travel centers in Fort Worth, Terrell and Denton, and more than two-dozen exist south of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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In addition to Melissa and Royse City coming soon, a Buc-ee's in Ennis is slated for 2020.

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What's the deal with Buc-ee's?

Buc-ee's is a Texas-born gas station chain. They're often giant, with the one in New Braunfels totaling 68,000 square feet, for example; that's the size of some Wal-Marts. Inside these big convenience stores, travelers will find packaged food (snacks like chips, candy and the company's proprietary Beaver Nuggets); made-to-order food (barbecue, fudge and the like); more fountain drinks than you could imagine; and a Texas-themed gift shop (jewelry, T-shirts, toys and more). Some Buc-ee's even sell lawn art, barbecue smokers and Yeti coolers.

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Buc-ee's is proud of is its restrooms, too. Billboards across Texas tout how clean they are, but spaciousness is another perk. Most Buc-ee's boast dozens of stalls.

Buc-ee's has become a treasured Texas brand, like H-E-B or Whataburger. Some card-carrying Texans can even be seen road-tripping with the Buc-ee's buck-toothed beaver mascot plastered to their bumpers.

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You're getting it, but let's drive this home: Buc-ee's matters to many Texans.

Buc-ee's in Melissa: 2019

Buc-ee's plans to open in Melissa, a town north of Dallas, in the second quarter of 2019, says Buc-ee's General Counsel Jeff Nadalo. It will be located on Central Expressway north of Highway 380, north of McKinney.

Beaver Nuggets are crunchy, slightly sweet snacks that are a very popular purchase at Buc-ee's.
Beaver Nuggets are crunchy, slightly sweet snacks that are a very popular purchase at Buc-ee's.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

A story in the Herald Democrat says this Buc-ee's is expected to be on par with the one in Madisonville, Texas, which sees an average of 14,000 to 16,000 people visiting it per day. It's been a much anticipated project, according to a story we wrote in February 2018.

To be located at 1550 Central Expressway, Melissa. Buc-ee's is hiring now.

Buc-ee's in Royse City: 2019

Drivers leaving Dallas and heading east on Interstate 30 will find a Buc-ee's in Royse City expected to open in the second quarter of 2019, Nadalo says. Roysecity.com reports it'll have 50 gas pumps — half as many as in Melissa — and a 50,000 square foot convenience center.

The project was first announced in 2015.

To be located at Interstate 30 and FM 2642, Royse City. Buc-ee's is hiring now.

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Buc-ee's in Ennis: 2020

Look at a map of Buc-ee's stores, and there's a significant gap between Dallas-Fort Worth and the closest Buc-ee's to the south. Drivers in Dallas would travel nearly 150 miles southeast on Interstate 45 to Madisonville or 125 miles south on Interstate 35E to Temple. A Buc-ee's in Ennis, about 35 miles southeast of Dallas, will offer one more beaver megastop on the way into or out of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Construction will begin soon on the Buc-ee's in Ennis, Nadalo says. It is expected to open 12 to 15 months after construction kicks off, likely in mid-2020.

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In February 2018, Ennis Mayor Angie Juenemann told our reporter Charles Scudder that "being associated with such a positive brand will enhance our standing and really put Ennis on the map." It will cost more than $30 million to build, according to the Daily Light in Waxahachie.

To be located at the southeast corner of Interstate Highway 45 and Creechville Road, Ennis.

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