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I will be curious if Wawa and Royal Farms expand further east into the Triangle region as they enter NC. For now it appears they may be concentrating upon the I-95 corridor and eastward.
Yes thanks for the correction. West of 95 towards the Triangle. We shall see. They have not really announced specific locationns but preliminary plans seem to indicate initially towards the coastal region east of 95 for both Wawa and Royal Farms.
Never been to a Buc-ee's....have been to WaWa a few times on roadtrips to points north. I'm pretty sure once in PA and once in NJ if memory serves.
It's a decent gas station with a nice variety of snacks and cleaner/brighter than most. But the hype is just the same as anything....local nostalgia. The folks who hear/ssee beaming with joy as they talk about a gas station (or any regional chain) typically are more into the nostalgia "home" feeling of it than the actual product/establishment itself.
I imagine the same to be true for Buc-Ees. I'm sure it's nice; probably nicer than most other big-box gas stations/chains. But really I imagine it's nostalgia in people from Texas/the deep south for a feeling of "back home" or the excitement of being on a road trip for others who've just passed by that's the "magic"
The only regional-establishment that has spread to the Triangle that has seemed worthy of the hype to me personally is Wegmans. This could very well be due to Upstate NY roots and fond memories of trips there with grandma over the summer growing up....but also the bakery.
If there's a an area with a relatively high proportion of Carolina born transplants; I imagine the same "zomg" reaction would occur if a CookOut or Bojangles opened. Hyper excitement from those longing for a peace of "back home"....intrigue followed by "meh; it's fine but overhyped" by others.
I imagine the same to be true for Buc-Ees. I'm sure it's nice; probably nicer than most other big-box gas stations/chains. But really I imagine it's nostalgia in people from Texas/the deep south for a feeling of "back home" or the excitement of being on a road trip for others who've just passed by that's the "magic"
Going to Buc-ee's is way different than going to a Wawa. A Buc-ee's gas station is easily the size of a big box store like a Best Buy and has a huge variety of specialty items and food. I first encountered Buc-ee's on a road trip from Houston to Austin. They have all these signs saying "Go to bathroom at Buc-ee's. It will be worth the wait." It truly is a sight to behold.
Going to Buc-ee's is way different than going to a Wawa. A Buc-ee's gas station is easily the size of a big box store like a Best Buy and has a huge variety of specialty items and food. I first encountered Buc-ee's on a road trip from Houston to Austin. They have all these signs saying "Go to bathroom at Buc-ee's. It will be worth the wait." It truly is a sight to behold.
The bathroom at Buc-ee's was nice but would I drive out of my way for it? Probably not - same for their food (have tried their jerky, fudge and kolaches).
The bathroom at Buc-ee's was nice but would I drive out of my way for it? Probably not - same for their food (have tried their jerky, fudge and kolaches).
Right. If there is a Sheetz across the street from smaller/run-down looking Shell station or something...yeah I'll choose Sheetz for the nicer bathrooms every time.
But my roadtrip bladder is no joke...I'm not passing exit signs because they don't have an "exciting" gas station chain. When you gotta go you gotta go
Yes thanks for the correction. West of 95 towards the Triangle. We shall see. They have not really announced specific locationns but preliminary plans seem to indicate initially towards the coastal region east of 95 for both Wawa and Royal Farms.
All the sites I reviewed were east of 95 for both WaWa and Royal Farms. I haven't asked if they've planned/submitted sites west since April (when I retired.)
I have stopped at Buc-ees in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and SC. I love stopping there. Staff is well trained and friendly. Stores are exceptionally clean and food offerings very solid. Just a great slice of Americana.
I have stopped at Buc-ees in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and SC. I love stopping there. Staff is well trained and friendly. Stores are exceptionally clean and food offerings very solid. Just a great slice of Americana.
I’ve been to ones in Texas and Florida. But I won’t make them a typical stop if/when in their area. While nice, I’m not their target demographic. And because of the size, and road infrastructure needed to accommodate them, it’s tougher/longer to get in and out than other “acceptable” stations such as WaWa.
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