Longtown Travel Center and Cafe owner said he believes bringing Buc-ee’s to West Tennessee will take away business from nearby convenience stores.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The news of one of the most well-known convenience stores in the country expanding to the Mid-South has not been exciting news for some nearby businesses.
The fanfare surrounding the first Buc-ee’s in West Tennessee became a reality during the groundbreaking this week for the 74,000 square foot travel center.
The Buc-ee’s is coming to Gallaway and promises to bring 225 jobs to the area.
Buc-ee’s owner Arch Aplin III said this will be the third location in the state. Aplin believes location will bring a big economic boost to Fayette County.
“There’s plenty of room here for expansion at this interchange, and so we think this will be great for the community, for the business community, for the tax base [and] for the employment base here in Gallaway,” Aplin said.
The arrival of Buc-ee’s has a different meaning for Longtown Travel Center and Cafe owner, Abed Amro. He said they are struggling to hire more employees.
“When they pay top dollars because they charge top dollar because they have more selection, it’s going to hurt a lot of people,” Amro said.
Although Buc-ee’s won’t allow 18-wheelers, Amro said he still feels the need to more to stay competitive long after Buc-ee’s arrives.
“We’re trying to have more things for the drivers, but the owner of the property would like to keep the property as a historic place. He doesn’t want to expand it, I guess,” he said.
Amro said he’s owned his truck stop since 2009 and has been a Memphis resident since 1991.
Lonnie Smithee, a truck driver, said he goes out of his way to support mom and pop convenience stores.
“Plus the little guys, gotta keep them in business. That’s what built America,” Smithee said.
Buc-ee’s in Gallay is expected to open in the summer of 2026.
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