SMITHS GROVE, Ky. — Buc-ee's, the Texas-based chain of travel centers with a cult following and lovable beaver mascot, is expanding its presence in Kentucky. The company will break ground on a travel center in Smiths Grove in Western Kentucky on June 5, the Herald Leader reported.
What You Need To Know
- Buc-ee's is breaking ground on its second Kentucky location next month
- The travel center in Smiths Grove is expected to open in 2024
- The company's first Kentucky location opened in Richmond in April 2022
Often hailed for its wide array of gas pumps, award-winningly clean bathrooms and tasty brisket sandwiches, Buc-ee's first broke ground in the Bluegrass in Richmond, near Lexington. That travel center opened in April 2022.
The 53,471-square-foot travel center, at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, will boast 120 fueling positions at the spot along I-65 near Bowling Green—nestled between Louisville and Nashville, Tenn. It’s expected to open in the summer of 2024.
“We are excited to be in Western Kentucky along a beautiful stretch of I-65 between Nashville and Louisville,” said Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s in a news release. “Smiths Grove will be the smallest town with a Buc-ee’s. It has a big heart just like we do, so we’ll get along just fine!”
A third location is expected to open in Western Kentucky in Oak Grove also reportedly in 2024 but construction has yet to begin, the Herald Leader reported.
About 240 full-time employees work at the Buc-ee’s in Richmond. Starting pay is $16 per hour, and full-time employees get three weeks paid time off, health insurance offered after 60 days, a 6% company 401K match after working for one year.
The Smiths Grove location is expected to create over 200 jobs in the area.