A major Buc-ee’s competitor is making big plans to open a big new location in one of the largest cities in South Texas.
The Texan, a family-owned brand of gas station and convenience stores headquartered in Yorktown, Texas, is hoping to build one of its “one stop shop” megastores at the Corpus Christi International Airport. And if all goes to plan, the company will get the green light from the Corpus Christi City Council during its meeting on Tuesday, October 14.
The city council will weigh whether or not to approve a 40-year ground lease for The Texan to build a nearly 12,000-square-foot store on an 8-acre plot of land at the intersection of Texas 44 and International Drive just north of the airport terminal. Outside, The Texan will feature 28 gas and diesel pumps, four diesel refilling pumps for commercial trucks, 196 parking spots for passenger vehicles, and separate parking for semi-trucks, though overnight parking will not be allowed.
Inside, the store “will emphasize made-to-order food, including gourmet sandwiches, salads, homemade burgers, and daily specials,” according to a presentation included as part of Tuesday’s agenda packet. It’s something the company says differentiates it from “traditional gas station convenience stores,” though most Texan motorists will find the variety of food options similar to the Lone Star State’s older, more famous mega gas station brand, Buc-ee’s. Another similarity between The Texan stores and those that feature a perpetually smiling beaver are the restroom amenities.
“The Texan stores are known for their clean restrooms and spacious dining areas, catering to families and groups. … The company prides itself on consistent and friendly customer service,” the presentation reads.
It should come as no surprise that the company – whose Yorktown headquarters lies about halfway between Corpus Christi and San Antonio – has chosen the coastal city for its next location. Despite being the eighth-largest city in Texas, there are no beavers in Corpus Christi. In fact, the nearest Buc-ee’s location is about 75 miles up the coast in Port Lavaca.
Yorktown couple Pete and Patricia Dlugosch founded The Texan in their hometown in 2008 and first began to expand outside of Yorktown in 2014. Since then, the company has made it its habit to expand in mostly small town communities where Buc-ee’s, founded in 1982, doesn’t have a presence. Currently, The Texan boasts stores in Yorktown, Cuero, Victoria, Goliad, Port Aransas, Schulenburg, La Vernia, Portland, Monahans, Gillett, Pecos, Port O’Conner and a location in the works in College Station. The Texan also has a store in Port Lavaca – the only location that has a Bucc’ee’s, though the two stores are on opposite sides of town.
If Corpus Christi city leaders approve the ground lease, it’ll be a sweetheart deal for The Texan. Under the terms of the agreement, The Texan will lease the 8-acre plot of land for 40 years, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years after that. In exchange, The Texan will pay Corpus Christi just over $27,000 in rent for the first year, then a little more than $52,000 in rent every year thereafter. The Texan will also pay about $109,000 per year in so-called “fuel flowage fees.” The rental rate will be reevaluated every five years to take inflation and other market trends into account. Not accounting for those expected increases to the rental rate, The Texan will pay the city a minimum of nearly $8 million in rent and fuel fees over the 40 year life of the lease.
This article originally published at Buc-ee’s competitor eyes new site on the Texas coast.