By Terry Georgia
The Surveyor

Calling Buc-ee’s a convenience store is like calling the Grand Canyon an irrigation ditch. And calling Buc-ee’s fans mere customers denies the depth and intensity of their passion for this new monument to American excess.

That’s not necessarily a criticism. Buc-ee’s is an amazing operation. It’s big. It’s fun. It’s over-the-top in almost every way. And true Buc-ee’s fans can’t get enough of it.

Hundreds of Buc-ee’s faithful came from far and wide to celebrate the opening of this new Texas shrine on the Colorado interstate. They drove from all over Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota and beyond. Many were dressed in head-to-toe Buc-ee’s onesie pajamas or decked in other Buc-ee’s swag. The ubiquitous smiling beaver logo was emblazoned across their t-shirts, lunch pails, thermal cups and phone caddies. Those who weren’t smiling with glee as they worked their way through the crowds were standing, mouth agape, wondering which department to explore next. Kitchen gifts? Baby clothes? Tailgating supplies? Snacks? Fresh Texas barbeque? How about a 24-foot wall of jerky? Choices, baby. This is America.

True Buc-ee’s believers were out in force. Braving the pre-dawn dark and cold, Johnny and Becky Hardrick were first in line on the south side of the main entrance. They had staked their spot at the door at 4 p.m. the day before. Dressed in matching Buc-ee’s onesies, they were anxious to be among the first customers to set foot inside when the floodgates opened at 6 a.m. “We rented an RV and drove up from Colorado Springs, just so we could be here today.” smiled Johnny, “My wife got the Buc-ee’s fever a few years ago. We’ve been to 12 locations so far. Eight in Texas, others in Florida and Alabama. This is our first opening day though. It’s very exciting!” Meeting them again about an hour after the opening, their cart was filled with Buc-ee’s treats and beaver-branded items. Becky was especially excited to have found Buc-ee’s Easter baskets. Her sister had told her they were impossible to find in the Florida stores.

Buc-ee’s connoisseurs knew where to look for the famous Beaver Nuggets and brisket sandwiches, they wiped shelves clean of beaver-branded t-shirts and stuffies, but no shelf was empty long. There was no shortage of anything.

“This is INSANE!” was a common cry overheard from many astounded first-time visitors. One veteran TV videographer from KUSA mused that he’d covered the grand opening ceremonies at DIA and “it was nothing compared to this.” Another frequently heard exclamation was, “Is THIS the end of the checkout line?” The lines were indeed long, some stretching nearly halfway across the massive store, but with multiple registers located at every entrance, the lines seemed to move quickly. Nobody seemed to mind. There were plenty of things to look at during the wait. Sequined, hot-pink cowboy hats, blankets, skillets, branding irons for pancakes. Buc-ee’s believers were in heaven. The newly anointed weren’t far behind.

It’s entirely possible the only people happier than the super-fans at Buc-ee’s on opening day were the employees. They were plentiful, friendly, helpful and welcoming. They were also wholly focused on keeping the floors clean, the shelves stocked and the customers happy. They were remarkably patient with the large crowds, helping to enhance the atmosphere of joy that seemed to permeate all 74 thousand square feet of retail overload.