We’ve got great news for beaver nugget lovers across Arkansas! Buc-ee’s has officially broken ground in the Natural State!
BENTON, Ark. — On Wednesday, hundreds gathered just off I-30 in Benton for the groundbreaking of the new Buc-ee’s, scheduled to open next year.
This will be the first Arkansas location for the Texas-based convenience store giant, and those in attendance to celebrate included Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Benton Mayor Tom Farmer, Buc-ee’s founder and President Beaver Aplin, and Buc-ee the beaver himself.
“I was just overwhelmed by the turnout,” Aplin described. “I mean, it was huge. There were hundreds and hundreds of people here.”
Aplin said the turnout, which was the biggest he could remember for any Buc-ee’s groundbreaking, proved that expanding to Arkansas was a good idea.
The 75,000 square foot facility featuring around 120 gas pumps will be near the corner of I-30 and Highway 229, about three miles past downtown Benton.
“Interstate 30 out of Little Rock, I think will be ideal,” Aplin said. “The location was beautiful. Benton had the hiring base. We need 200-250+ employees, so we need a hiring base.”
They didn’t just find a hiring base in Benton, but they also found a supportive community that is ready for the growth that Buc-ee’s tends to bring.
Mayor Farmer explained how he has already talked to people who are interested in putting their businesses near the Buc-ee’s.
“Ever since it was announced, we seem to have an unbelievable amount of people interested in coming to this county,” he added.
However, nobody knows that better than Saline County Judge Matt Brumley, who said that part of this project has been making sure they’re ready for the growth.
He explained how the weather that Arkansas saw at the start of April was a great test run to make sure the site can withstand heavy rains and flooding.
“This site location held up. And the integrity was held within that site location. And that’s exciting,” said Judge Brumley. “It was a great test run to kind of put to rest some of the people’s concerns in this community.”
Mayor Farmer said Buc-ee’s has also worked with ARDOT to make sure that the new convenience store giant doesn’t impact traffic on I-30 or in the city of Benton.
He said the process, which first began in 2023 when Benton purchased the land where the Buc-ee’s will eventually be, will all be worth it in the end.
“We realize that it’s going to be a draw for our city,” he added. “That’s why we’re so excited about it.”
“Look for this area to continue to grow,” Judge Brumley added. “Some people have already put their flags down and said we’re coming, but I would anticipate hearing many, many more that are on their way to Saline County, Arkansas.”
Aplin said a target date for the grand opening of Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s is September 2026.
However, that has not been finalized just yet.