North Carolina's first Buc-ees travel center is expected to break ground Wednesday in Alamance County.
The state's first Buc-ee's location will be on Trollingwood Hawfields Road in Mebane. The popular convenience store chain was founded in Texas in 1982 and has grown to 55 stores nationwide, according to a press release release. Buc-ee's mega gas station in Mebane will occupy 74,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling pumps.
The groundbreaking comes amid concerns from Indigenous activist group 7 Directions of Service, who are opposed to the development taking place at a historic site. Earlier this year, they protested the construction of the 32-acre gas station, saying it will desecrate a key trading route for Native Americans and early colonists known as the Great Trading Path.
The group sent a letter to the state historic preservation office, but state officials say a 1997 state survey of the property found no evidence of the path.
Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony starts at 10 a.m. Buc-ee's is slated to open in late 2027.
