Buc-ee's sets date for grand opening of 2nd store in Kentucky off I-65

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The wait is almost over for Kentucky's newest Buc-ee's.

In a news release Thursday, the company said it will unveil its newest travel center location in Smiths Grove, Kentucky, on Monday, June 24. The company said this will be the smallest city in the country with a Buc-ee's.

Doors will open to the public at 6 a.m. (Central time) in the location, which is not far from Bowling Green.

The Smiths Grove store is just off Interstate 65 between Louisville and Nashville. The location at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road is the second in Kentucky. The first opened in Richmond in April 2022.

Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s said the company is excited to celebrate the grand opening.

"Smiths Grove may be small, but the community has welcomed us with as much love and enthusiasm as our largest cities, so we’re excited to be here and watch this partnership grow," Beard said.

The official ribbon-cutting will be at noon local time with a number of dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Rand Paul; Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; Smiths Grove Mayor David Stiffey; Smiths Grove city commissioners; Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman and former Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon.

The new 53,000-square-foot store will feature Buc-ee's favorites, including Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, jerky and, of course, Beaver Nuggets.

This Buc-ee's will offer its signature award-winning restrooms along with 120 gas pumps.

The grand opening of Buc-ee's brings at least 200 jobs to the area, with starting pay beginning well above minimum wage, full benefits, a 6% matching 401(k) and three weeks of paid vacation.

Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982. The Smiths Grove is the company's 50th store, which are spread across Texas and much of the south. Since beginning its multi-state expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Colorado.

Buc-ee’s broke ground on the first Virginia and Mississippi locations earlier this year.

For more information, visit www.buc-ees.com.

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