Buc-ee’s on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is moving forward with a new estimated opening date.
Bill Lavers, executive director of Harrison County Development Commission, expressed hope that the site will open by late November 2024. That is months sooner than first announced. The Menge Avenue bridge exit 24 was demolished and is being rebuilt to accommodate the increased traffic Buc-ee’s will bring.
Residents will be happy to hear the Menge Avenue bridge could be opened as early as October
The overpass leading to the Buc-ee’s will go from two lanes to five, this is all part of a $50 million development project. Harrison County has invested $15 million to rebuild the intersection. Along with Buc-ee’s, there are plans for a new commercial park directly across the street. The 100-plus acres are set to include multiple retail shops, possibly a hotel, and new office space.
Buc-ee’s is thinking big with its Pass Christian location set to be nearly 74,000 square feet. This is the most mammoth store location yet, especially when compared to most Buc-ee’s covering about 54,000 square feet. There will be an estimated 120 gas pumps with dozens of electric charging stations.
Not only is the Mississippi location designed to be the biggest, but Arch “Beaver” Aplin owner has pledged to hire 200 employees for the Mississippi location. Many of these jobs will pay full benefits that include health insurance, 401k, and a living-wage salary.
Buc-ee’s is famously known as a wonderful franchise. The prices at the gas pump are competitive and the food is always fresh and tasty. This new stop-off in Pass Christian will increase the traffic flow and is sure to have new customers trying neighboring businesses. This is expected to be a boom in the local economy.
Buc-ee’s was founded in Texas in 1982 and has 46 locations across Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. This is the first on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the retailer has plans to expand into Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and possibly Virginia.
Let’s look forward to the opening in 2024, and gassing up at Buc-ee’s before the end of this year!