Buc-ee's Shutting Down One of Its Most Popular Locations After 25 Years

Buc-ee's seems to announce a new location practically every week — which makes this news all the more surprising. The beloved Texas-born roadside institution is closing one of its original locations, and it's being replaced by something surprising.

Buc-ee's has confirmed it will close its Port Lavaca, Texas location — Store No. 12 at 2318 W. Main St. — after more than 25 years in business. According to The Victoria Advocate, the site will be rebranded as a 7-Eleven, paired with a Laredo Taco Company, becoming the third 7-Eleven location in Port Lavaca.

"I did get an email from a sign company, on March 16, stating that Buc-ee's is being rebranded as 7-Eleven with a Laredo Taco," said Derrick Smith, director of the City of Port Lavaca Building and Standards Commission Board. No building permits have been submitted yet, though the city was informed of signage plans through that communication.

Why This Buc-ee's Is Closing

The Port Lavaca location is one of Buc-ee's smaller, older convenience store formats — a far cry from the massive travel centers the chain is now famous for. While the closure is rare, it's not without precedent. Other small-format Buc-ee's locations in Texas have closed before, including stores in Lake Jackson, El Campo, West Columbia and Gonzales. The brand has clearly shifted its focus toward its signature supersized locations — the kind with 120 gas pumps, world-record car washes and tens of thousands of square feet of retail space.

Buc-ee's Is Still Growing — Fast

The Port Lavaca closure is a small footnote in what is otherwise an aggressive expansion story. Buc-ee's confirmed it will open in at least seven new states, with locations planned in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. Additional stores are coming to Murfreesboro, Tennessee and San Marcos, Texas. New locations expected to open in 2026 include Huber Heights, Ohio and Goodyear, Arizona.

Texas currently has 36 Buc-ee's in operation, with two more planned for the Lone Star State in 2027.