Omaha Exploration

My name is Patrick Wyman, join me as I explore Omaha and the surrounding area. With an emphasis on the origin stories of the places that define this city, I also cover new developments, attractions, events and whatever else catches my eye.

Development & Change

Nebraska’s First Buc-ee’s Travel Center

I’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s, but apparently the possibility of one opening in Gretna is a big deal. That led me to take a brief look into its history. The first store was opened by Arch “Beaver” Aplin and his partners in Clute, Texas, in 1982. The name is a combination of his childhood…

Patrick Wyman

January 24, 2026

2–3 minutes

Buc-ee’s, Good Life District, Gretna Nebraska, Nebraska Crossing, Omaha Exploration, Omaha Nebraska

January 24, 2026

I’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s, but apparently the possibility of one opening in Gretna is a big deal. That led me to take a brief look into its history.

Outside of a Buc-ee’s in Texas. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

The first store was opened by Arch “Beaver” Aplin and his partners in Clute, Texas, in 1982. The name is a combination of his childhood nickname and his Labrador Retriever, whose name was Buck. It is a bit convoluted, but apparently a toothpaste’s animated mascot, Bucky the Beaver, also provided inspiration.

Inside a Buc-ee’s in Texas. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Buc-ee’s opened its first large travel center in New Braunfels, Texas, on I-35 in 2012. Measuring 68,000 square feet, it was the largest convenience store in the world at the time. The store also has the distinction of being awarded Best Restroom in America by Cintas in 2012. An even larger store was built in Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2023.

Barbecue worker at a Buc-ee’s in Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

The company first expanded beyond Texas in 2018 and now operates 54 stores across Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Colorado, Mississippi, and Virginia. Future stores are planned for in the south, mountain west and the Midwest including Nebraska!

Buc-ee the Beaver mascot in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

In addition to their massive footprint and famously clean restrooms, Buc-ee’s is known for its Beaver Brand snacks and merchandise, brisket sandwiches, fudge, and, of course, its mascot. Some have even referred to it as the Disney of gas stations.

Google Earth view of the area south and east of Nebraska Crossing where the Buc-ee’s may be built.

Clearing the way for a potential location, the Gretna City Council approved the annexation of 43 acres of land southeast of I-80 and Highway 31. The site will be included in the Nebraska Crossing Good Life District. Additional approvals are required, and no opening date has been announced.

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