A buck-toothed beaver will be spreading across the region as the world’s largest convenience store franchise Buc-ee’s sets to open a new location in East Tennessee.
Buc-ee’s, a convenience store originated from Texas, provides its customers with an experience in their stock. With locations opening in Crossville and Sevier County, the “world’s friendliest beaver” has already begun to make an impression with the community.
According to Amanda Marr, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing Director, Buc-ee’s “is more than just a gas station; it is an experience”.
Buc-ee’s will be the first anchor establishment for the 407: Gateway to Adventure, a new tourism development that will include various shops and restaurants. Located right off the 407 exit off Interstate-40, the 74,00 square feet, 120 gas pump location once built will stand as the world’s largest convenience store, surpassing the franchise’s previous record-breaking store in Calhoun, Texas.
With Marr being involved in the operations of Sevierville development for close to 20 years, she sees the opening of Buc-ee’s as more than just an opportunity for tourism, with this new development hopefully opening more growth and changes for the area.
“It is not only going to appeal to… the Smoky Mountains tourists, but [also] for travelers who will be passing through on I-40,” said Marr.
With the location being developed right past the firework superstore on Highway 66, the experiential retail experience of Buc-ee’s will be available for anyone staying or passing through.
Buc-ee’s prides itself in their complex stock they hold. Being considered a one stop shop, it is a large concept to grasp that one store will offer grills and camping gear to in-house made brisket and food in such a way. The sheer size and volume of Buc-ee’s things to shop for, see and do is what makes it worthwhile.
With an expected opening date in May 2023, the large storefront will be open just in time for spring break and warm weather for an opportunity to come be the first to experience.
Developing tourism with the opening of Buc-ee’s is just the beginning of Sevierville’s plans, with announcements coming soon of new experiences surfacing in the next few years.
