Buc-ee's Brings the Giant Smiling Beaver to Tallahassee

Tallahassee is soon to have its own bit of big roadside attraction action coming in the form of Buc-ee's, its smiling beaver mascot and Texas-sized convenience store all approaching just outside I-10. The company already has stores in St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Ocala, and Fort Pierce, but now it is branching out in Tallahassee in a new western Leon County development.

Local officials hope the travel center will be a significant source of economic activity. During a briefing on road projects, Governor Ron DeSantis referred to the Tallahassee location as it will "revolutionize driving on I-10".

The Blueprint of a Mega Stop

Buc-ee's has been operating since 1982, with the goal of providing customers with a clean, friendly, and well-stocked atmosphere. The proposed Tallahassee location, on 73 acres at Park Place Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the west side of Capital Circle Northwest, north of I-10, will be built to an immense scale.

The facility is expected to be 75,000 square feet, touted to be the world's largest convenience store concept. The travel center will include nearly 120 fueling points for regular vehicles, along with 8 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) locations. The plans also account for 24 electric vehicle (EV) spaces. Large vehicle operators will have 11 bus/RV parking spaces, along with the planned 795 standard parking spaces.

While providing a huge number of fueling options, the real appeal of Buc-ee's lies often inside the store. Not only can customers expect Texas-style tchotchkes and souvenirs, but also road trip snacks such as Beaver Nuggets. Other specialized services include car washes with, wax, shine, and various kinds of fuel include EV charging and Ethanol Free options.

Aside from convenience, the new center will create approximately 200 full-time jobs. Opportunities for employment include management careers with salaries of up to $100,000, and entry-level, hourly wages starting at $16 an hour and reaching as much as $32 an hour. Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor noted his excitement over the new jobs and economic activity the property will bring to the area.

Development Timeline

The path to Buc-ee's development began six months before the initial public reports, when the county had learned of the company's interest in the property. The formal process for the project began on February 7, submitting a Permitted Use Verification (PUV) request. This initial step confirmed that the proposed use was in compliance with the Leon County Land Development Code (LDC) and Park Place PUD, both of which were approved in 2012 and updated in 2022.

Development moved forward on April 2, when a consultant for the developer participated in the county's optional pre-application process, receiving preliminary technical feedback from county officials on the conceptual site plan.

With the latest updates, the acquisition of parcels is nearly complete. The next major requirement of the developer is the submission of a formal site plan application and an Environmental Management Permit (EMP). Once these materials are submitted, the project will continue with a comprehensive Type "B" site plan review process, involving two public hearings: the Application Review Meeting (ARM) and the Development Review Committee (DRC) Meeting. The developer aims to take the Concept Plan Approval (CPA) track, wherein the site plan and the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) would be reviewed concurrently to speed up the process.

The groundbreaking is projected to be some time in Q1 2026.

Addressing Local Challenges: The Signage Issue

While the project has been described as progressing well and on a typical timeline for its size, early discussions revolved around a potential dispute over Buc-ee's behemoth trademark signage. County Commissioner Christian Caban, who helped facilitate early discussions with county officials, confirmed that early concerns regarding the size of the sign appear to be resolved under existing rules.

Leon County Administrator Vince Long said the developer requested information on how to petition for a deviation from normal rules because Buc-ee's sign requirements might exceed normal allowances. As it turns out, the Leon County LDC and the Park Place PUD already provide flexibility for such deviation.

A Master Sign Plan, including any approved deviation, will be taken as part of the general site plan process before final approval by the Development Review Committee (DRC). The LDC sets forth some criteria to be used in determining the evaluation of a signage deviation, including whether the deviation will be detrimental to public health or safety, whether strict requirements would constitute a substantial hardship, and whether the deviation is consistent with the intent of the LDC.

The project has also avoided conflict with broader city regulations. Tallahassee City is considering a six-month prohibition of new and expanding gas stations following public backlash at proposed stations in northeast communities. Commissioner Caban guaranteed that the city's suggested ordinance will not influence the Buc-ee's project because it is subject to the county land code law; the city only has the responsibility of extending utilities to the property. Caban explained that he was "really excited about the economic impact" and the number of jobs the company is bringing to Leon County.