Buc-ee’s of Smiths Grove construction to begin next month
Ceremony to be held on June 5th to mark the beginning of construction
SMITHS GROVE, Ky. (WBKO) - Known for their oversized retail stores and iconic beaver mascot, Texas-based Buc-ee’s is expanding nationwide. Its second location in Kentucky will be built in Smiths Grove.
It will be located off of Exit 38 on Interstate 65, boasting a 54,000-square-foot store, 116 fueling stations, and 565 parking spaces on a 31-acre site.
Construction will formally begin at 4001 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road on June 5, with a ceremony attended by local and state leaders.
This is the second Buc-ee’s in Kentucky, with the first opening in Richmond in April 2022.
“We are excited to be in Western Kentucky along a beautiful stretch of I-65 between Nashville and Louisville,” Stan Beard of Buc-ee’s said in a release. “Smiths Grove will be the smallest town with a Buc-ee’s. It has a big heart just like we do, so we’ll get along just fine!”
However, since the announcement nearly three years ago, progress has been slow. But Smiths Grove Mayor David Stiffey says things are moving forward.
“Of course, there’s been plenty of rumors flying around that they have this problem or that problem or they’re not coming,” said David Stiffey, mayor of Smiths Grove. “Progress takes time to do it right, and these people are all about ensuring everything’s good and ready.”
One of the immediate issues with the selected location was that the property sat right outside the city limits.
“The city limits stop right at the ramp, and they’re going to be on the other side of the south I-65 ramp. We worked with them, and really quickly, we annexed that area so it will be inside our city limits,” Stiffey said.
The annexation of the property allowed the company to begin preparing the land for the travel center.
The community is excited about the economic boost that the retailer will bring to the area.
“It will help our community tremendously. The amount of people coming more into the area to just stop at Buc-ee’s is tremendous for us,” Stiffey said.
One of the most significant changes the area will see is the appearance of the I-65 ramps, which will bring the first stoplights to Smiths Grove.
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