What may look like a gas station to some is a one-of-a-kind experience for others.
If you have traveled down south, you may have stopped at Buc-ee's, and Ohio is set to get its first location in Dayton.
But one could be coming a little closer to home.
"Everyone gets what they want out of a Buc-ee's. It's pretty awesome," Broadview Heights resident Walter Wojnicc said.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry announced in a Facebook post that they are in the final stages of approving the development of the mega gas station.
While you can stop for gas, a visit to Buc-ee's is much more than filling up your tank.
"It's like cool and there's like things you can walk around and like look at instead of it being the same old boring stuff," Richland County resident Madison DeMoss said.
Buc-ee's is known for its beaver mascot, cleanliness and food offerings.
"The brisket, the sandwiches, and then I like the candy pecans that you get," Richland County resident Avery McWilliams said.
Perry said the project is nearing the end of the due diligence phase, which is when a lot of things happen behind the scenes.
"This is huge for Mansfield," Perry said.
The property technically won't be in Mansfield, but will be annexed from Madison and Mifflin Townships.
The 70,000-square-foot travel center will be located at the State Route 39 and I-71 interchange.
Perry expects over 200 jobs to be available.
"It's one of those projects that only comes around so often in a community's opportunity, so for us to have it is just phenomenal," Perry said.
Perry said Madison and Mifflin townships will retain property tax revenue, while Mansfield will receive income tax from the jobs created. Richland County will benefit from sales tax.
"Everyone who is involved really gets a piece of the pie which is exciting," Perry said.
Buc-ee's released the following statement on the potential partnership:
"Buc-ee's is excited about our partnership with the City of Mansfield and Richland County. We still have some work to do before closing on the property, but both the City's and County's show of support is certainly a huge step in the right direction.
Buc-ee's Travel Center is a one-of-a-kind destination experience known for its pristine bathrooms, friendly staff, and freshly made food. Featuring in-house BBQ, baked goods and sweets, clothing, a unique collection of gifts and weekend get-away gear, Buc-ee's has redefined the traditional pit stop. Buc-ee's is not a truck stop; commercial tractor-trailers are prohibited. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Texas, Buc-ee's currently has 36 stores across the state and 18 locations throughout Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia."
This is just the latest economic news in Masfield, which last week announced a $25 million housing and business project.
RELATED: $25 million housing project coming to Mansfield
There's also a $74 million expansion at Newman Technology coming to the area.
RELATED: 70 new jobs are coming to Richland County
"We have a good string going right now," Perry said.
If everything goes according to plan, construction is expected to begin this summer with the goal of opening in 2027.
In 2023, Buc-ee's announced it would expand into the Dayton area.
RELATED: Ohio is getting a Buc-ee's, and it's a day trip away from Cleveland
Buc-ee's has set multiple world records, including the world's largest convenience store and the world's longest car wash. The mega gas station chain was also recognized as having the cleanest restrooms in America, according to Cintas.
Buc-ee's has earned a strong reputation for its extensive selection of products not often found at similar convenience stores/gas stations. Some locations even have lines out the door of people waiting to take pictures with their famous beaver mascot. The shops are best known for their freshly cut brisket, beef jerky, and beaver nuggets, which are hard to describe beyond "sweet puffed corn."
The business was first opened in 1982 in Texas. Now, the company has more than 50 locations across the U.S.
