When Ikea opened in Phoenix-metro it was the same thing, big crowds for a while so my sister-in-law, DesertRoomie, and I waited about six months before visiting to see what all the fuss was about. DR and I started laughing and had to explain to SIL why. We both played The Sims and with its simple graphics and – unintended – open-source software literally thousands of fans were making content for the game including a lot of furniture.
We were recognizing a lot of Ikea’s offerings from the game. On reflection it made sense. Most of the modders were young and had more time than money. They were merely making the furniture surrounding them.
I went to a Buc-ee’s not too far outside of Houston when I unexpectedly visited Texas last December. I found it was largely a positive experience. The place was clean, including the restrooms, there was plenty of decent food and junk to purchase (I bought an ugly Christmas sweater), and the staff was friendly and efficient. I bought a ton of crap including some beef jerky that’s still sitting in my pantry. Going to Buc-ee’s won’t change your life or anything, but if you’re going to stop for fuel and snacks anyway it’s a great place to stop.
That article notes that there will be one opening in Wisconsin (just south of Milwaukee) next year, which would be, AIUI, by far their northernmost one. It’s right on the route I take to go up to visit my parents, so it may well become a typical stop for me.
The good ol’ alligator. My wife and I stop there every time when we’re on our way home from San Antonio. Their mascot is now a cowboy, but we still call it the alligator store. It doesn’t compare to Buc-ee’s, but it’s in a really good location for those on I-37 south heading to Corpus Christi, and of course location is everything.
Buc-ee is a beaver. The cowboy is a Texas thing where they dress in cowboy attire and chop up the brisket. Not sure if that is going to happen in Wisconsin.
Problem is that there is no other mascot than the beaver, never has been. Not sure why people are confused about that, it was taken from the founder and present owners nickname.
I meant the store that got sued. It’s a regular stop for me. They had to ditch the alligator in favor of a cowboy. They do have barbecue, but usually it’s being chopped up by someone who looks and dresses like a stereotypical “lunch lady”, not someone dressed like a cowboy.
I’m not sure what point you’re making, nor whether it’s a sneaking joke going over my head or you’re serious.
Yes, Buc-ee’s has a beaver as their mascot and always has. For reasons legitimately related to the founder’s life. And yes, Buc-ee’s has been suing other truck stops with non-beaver mascots for daring to use a cute-ified cartoon non-beaver animal as a mascot.
The Buck-ee’s is a good place to get cheap gas (or a cheap charge), use the facilities and grab some lunch. My only complaint[1] is that they don’t have any slaw for the barbecue sandwiches. That’s just wrong.
Other than the crush of humanity, who just need to get the hell out of my way - I’ve got to pee! ↩︎
