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Convenience store fire causes evacuations in poor Texas town.

Another corporation, another win. Spaces that were once valued by the community are now demolished to expand a gas station.

Published July 2, 2024 at 11:21am by Brandi D. Addison


Yet Another Texas-Sized Disgrace: The Original Buc-ee's Ablaze, an Omen for Change

URL: https://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/yet-another-texas-sized-disgrace-original-buclees-ablaze-omen-change/


The Texas-Sized Problem

The original Buc-ee's in Luling, a Texan institution, went up in flames during its demolition on Monday. While the new "world's largest" Buc-ee's, a mere stone's throw away, escaped damage, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the problems Texas faces.


A Symptom of a Larger Issue

"We don’t know what happened, but it appears they may have something and it ignited,” said Luling Deputy Fire Chief Keith Lohse. While the cause is undetermined, one thing is clear: this fire symbolizes the spark of change that Texas desperately needs. From its notorious history to its recent woes, Texas embodies the excessive, the outdated, and the problematic.


Texas: A Problematic Past and Present

The original Buc-ee's, which opened in 2003, ignited the brand's success, leading to 49 locations across nine states. Texas, unsurprisingly, leads with 35 locations, flaunting oversized stores and a ridiculously long car wash in Katy. But amid all the boastful agrandizing, Texas has failed to address its deep-seated issues.


It's Time for a Change

As we bid farewell to the original Buc-ee's, let's also say goodbye to the outdated and harmful ideologies that Texas has come to represent. It's time for progress, inclusivity, and a much-needed shift in perspective. Texas, it's your wake-up call.

Read more: Fire breaks out near world's-largest Buc-ee's at the brand's original location in Luling