By Erica Thomas, managing editor
LEEDS — The new Buc-ee’s location in Leeds opened on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at 6 a.m. Excitement was in the air as the first customers walked through the doors.
Every wall is lined with something different. Candy, jerky, and home decor are available inside the store. There are also pet products and baby items for sale.
General Manager Michael Bui said the store is ready to serve the city of Leeds and the surrounding areas.
“We’re really excited,” said Bui. “We’ve been setting up since the beginning of December, training all of our employees, getting a lot of our fixtures ready to go, stocking the store to keep it fully stocked and we’re ready to go.”
The premier travel center is known for its large selection of products for everything from food to hunting accessories. As for food, there is a large variety of sandwiches, breakfast-style tacos, pastries, homemade fudge, 80 soda dispensers and 16 flavors of Icees. The store also offers customizable coffee and of course, Beaver Nuggets. Bui said if you can’t find it under Buc-ee’s roof, it isn’t worth having.
Director of Operations, John Taylor, was in town for the big day.
“We’re very excited to be in Leeds,” said Taylor. “Everybody’s been working hard to get the store open. We’re ready for business and we’re ready to serve the great people of Alabama.”
Customers Angel and Paige Davis were among the first people through the doors. They said they plan to be regulars.
“We love Buc-ee’s,” said Angel Davis. “We go to the one in Mobile and we’ve watched it since they tore all the woods down so, we’ve watched it grow.”
Among the many features at Buc-ee’s stores, the “World Famous Restrooms” have a full-time attendant. The store prides itself in clean facilities. The store also has 120 fuel pumps.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday.
The large chain, based in Texas, also has a location in south Alabama.