Buc-ee’s fans have been left outraged after the popular retailer made a major design change at its record-breaking new store in Luling, Texas.
The new location that opened on June 10 has been dubbed ‘the world’s largest convenience store’ chain, measuring in at a whopping 75,000 square feet.
But scores of customers have taken to social media to blast the retailer’s decision to give its beloved beaver mascot an ‘Ozempic-like’ makeover.
A TikTok user (@marrallmike) posted photos showing how the mascot had changed, with more than 700 people leaving negative comments about its new appearance, according to My San Antonio.
‘What did they do to my beautiful boy? It looks like he’s going to jump scare me at 4:00 am now,’ the user wrote in the video’s description box on opening day.
‘The charm has been ripped away,’ another commenter said.
A TikTok user posted photos of the store chain’s beloved beaver mascot from two locations and more than 700 others have left negative comments regarding its new appearance
The convenience store chain opened its new Texas location on June 10 at 75,000 square feet, which is now the largest convenience store in the world
Like its Baytown and Alabama locations, Buc-ee’s in Luling has a beloved mascot statue – but it is noticeably different from the beaver’s past appearance.
The beaver statue outside the Luling location is sculpted, and instead of tiny hands that are disproportionate to his body, they are much bigger and longer.
The mascot’s toes are also showing and its eyes are shining and brighter than its predecessor.
Many TikTokers have since voiced their displeasure over the statue swap, with one saying: ‘I hope they put the original in the Smithsonian.’
‘Every time I went to a Buc-ee’s on a road trip, I would always take a picture with the statue. That lovable statue for years,’ a commenter wrote.
‘But on the most recent trip, I noticed something was wrong with it. Rip Buc-ee.’
Other users have given him nicknames such as ‘Hollywood Buc-ee’ and ‘Ozempic Buc-ee’ – which has been hearted more than 300 times by fellow TikTokers.
Although the mascot changes have upset TikTokers, one person claimed that only the new Buc-ee’s locations, including Luling, are getting updated statues.
‘None of the old ones have changed. Only the new stores are getting this model,’ the commenter wrote.
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 Store by Arch ‘Beaver’ Aplin III and Don Wasek. It began as a chain of highway travel centers and it now has more than 40 U.S. locations
Buc-ee’s was founded in 1982 Store by Arch ‘Beaver’ Aplin III and Don Wasek.
It began as a chain of highway travel centers, and now has more than 40 U.S. locations.
The logo and mascot were created by Aplin when he and Wasek first founded the store chain, the co-founder told CBS News in 2022.
‘Beaver was my nickname; my mom named me that when I was born,’ he said.
‘There was a cartoon character way back, really before my time, a toothpaste commercial, and he was Bucky Beaver. So, this fellow always called me Bucky Beaver growing up.’
Buc-ee’s has since become a force to be reckoned with among its retailer competitors.
Prior to June its store in Sevierville, Tennessee, held the record for being the world’s largest convenience store.
However, the new Luling location has since seized the crown by less than 500 square feet, and Aplin confirmed on CBS Austin that it will also provide more than 250 jobs.
Despite this seemingly being a good thing for Texans, Floridians felt cheated after a Florida location was previously slated to become the biggest Buc-ee’s in America.
The logo and mascot were created by Aplin when he and Wasek first founded the store chain, the co-founder told CBS News in 2022
The plan was to open a Buc-ee’s in Ocala, Florida, that would be 80,000 square feet and become the largest convenience store in the world.
But Buc-ee’s real estate boss Stan Beard confirmed earlier this week that the Florida location would only be 74,000 square feet.
The location will still open as planned near Interstate 75, north of Ocala in 2025.
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