Florida’s first Buc-ee’s location now open in St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The highly anticipated Buc-ee’s location off Interstate 95 near World Golf Village is now open.

The massive convenience store and gas station, located at 200 World Commerce Parkway in St. Augustine, opened its doors Monday morning.

The Texas-based travel stop is the first of its kind in Florida. It’s over 52,000 square feet and has 104 fueling positions.

A spokesperson told Action News Jax this location in St. Johns County was picked because it’s near so many Florida attractions like Disney World, Universal and St. Augustine, so it seemed like a natural fit.

Decked out in Buc-ee’s gear, April Grotzinger and her friend Kristy Gamble left Orlando at 1 a.m. to make sure they were first in line.

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These girls traveled from Orlando just to step foot inside Buc-ees today ⁦@ActionNewsJax⁩ ⁦@WOKVNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/zPKCeeby6R
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) February 22, 2021

“Technically, I guess it’s a gas station, but its got like a home goods section. It has a sporting section. It has so many foods, so many foods. It’s a life style really,” Grotzinger said.

In 2018, there were at least half a dozen nearby homeowners that petitioned against bringing the Buc-ees to our area.

They cited concerns such as too much traffic in the area and decreased land value.

Despite the backlash, tons of people told Action News Jax’s Alicia Tarancon they’ve been looking forward to this Buc-ee’s opening.

“I couldn’t wait. I’ve been by this place at least 10 times just watching it being built,” Chris Childress said.

After waiting in line for a few hours Grotzinger and Gamble finally left with bags filled with Buc-ee’s goodies.

“Definitely the kolaches. I’m excited to add a Florida shirt to my collection. My friends in Texas will send me the holiday shirts, so I’m excited to get one of the Florida shirts finally,” Gamble said.

Buc-ee’s will bring around 250 jobs to the area.

A second Florida location will open in Daytona Beach next month.

The company told Action News Jax it has plans to expand throughout the state.