How Soon Will Buc-ee's in Ruston Be Opening?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Progress is being made to build a Buc-ee’s in north Louisiana.

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The Texas-based chain of travel centers clears a major hurdle in the plan to open a new store in Ruston. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker tells KEEL News there is a big meeting in Baton Rouge to talk about the I-20 Tarbutton interchange design to accommodate the project.

Michael Gibson / Townsquare Media

Walker says:
Just the construction and all the roads to go with Buc-ee’s itself all have to be planned out and approved with DOTD, so that’s what this meeting will be about.

The proposed Ruston Buc-ee's will be located along I-20. The store is expected to boost the local economy by creating a minimum of 250 jobs that pay at least $18 dollars an hour. This complex will also significantly increase sales tax revenues for the region.

Ground breaking at the site is expected soon and construction will take just over a year.

Ruston Water Tower via City of Ruston YouTube

The Mayor Adds:

We’re getting very very close. I mean this is a huge project. A lot of moving pieces. We have a school, of course, Ruston Junior High is located at that same interchange. It had a few more obstacles maybe than some other places.

When Will Buc-ee's in Ruston Open?

Mayor Walker tells KEEL News he hopes the new travel center will open in Ruston sometime during the first quarter of 2025.

The Ruston City Council and other governmental entities have approved a tax incentive package that will help move the project along.

The Ruston Buc-ee's will be a game changer for the community. The travel plaza will attract visitors from across the region, making Ruston a travel destination.

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Will Louisiana Have More than 1 Buc-ee's?

With this latest approval, Buc-ee’s is one step closer to making its Louisiana debut. Ruston and Lafayette are in an unofficial competition to land the first Louisiana Buc-ee’s. Lafayette is scheduled to open their story in 2025.

The Lake Jackson, Texas-headquartered company has more than 40 stores in seven southern states and Colorado, but none in Louisiana right now.