Norwalk Mayor is Starting a Petition to Bring Buc-ee's to Iowa

Everybody wants a piece of Buc-ee's. Over the last several years, the mecca of gas stations has gained traction all across the country. Content featuring Buc-ee's that lands on Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms gains traction almost immediately. People can't get enough of Buc-ee's.

What makes Buc-ee's different than a typical gas station? Buc-ee's locations include everything from a bakery, fudge bar, kolaches, brisket, an extensive variety of sodas, coffees, and Icees, and even Dippin' Dots ice cream. They have their own brand of merchandise as well, ranging from shirts, hats, pants, blankets, and their own assortment of snack food.

Furthermore, Buc-ee's famously doesn't open locations in large metropolitan areas. Instead, they focus on heavy-traffic areas such as interstates that exist outside of those big cities. For example, one of their locations is positioned on Interstate 10, right between Houston and San Antonio, courting people traveling to/from either respective city.

Now, one Iowa mayor is pushing hard for his city to be the first to have a Buc-ee's in the Hawkeye State. Tom Phillips, the Mayor of Norwalk, IA, in conjunction with the city's Economic Development Department, are trying to bring the ginormous gas station to their city.

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Most Buc-ee's locations are in the south, notably in Texas, but plans are in place to open locations near Milwaukee and Kansas City. To date, however, the gas station has no plans to open a location in Iowa. In response, Phillips has created a community petition, which has over 1,300 signatures at this time:

Picture this: you’re cruising along I-35, and just off the exit, you’re welcomed not only by our hometown pride, but by the legendary beaver of Buc-ee’s. I believe it’s time Norwalk became home to Iowa’s very first Buc-ee’s. Let’s bring this iconic brand north—where it belongs! - a statement from Norwalk, IA Mayor Tom Phillips, per We Are Iowa's website

It's hard to see a Buc-ee's not being a hit within the vicinity of the Des Moines metro. When Buc-ee's open, they become a destination for motorists traveling from all around the country.

Plans for the first Wisconsin Buc-ee's were in place for the town of DeForest, between Madison and Wisconsin Dells, just north of Highway V, east of Highway I, and west of Interstate 39/90/94. These plans got murkier due to a dispute with the gas station company and local taxpayers.

Buc-ee's is offering to spend up to $8.1 million to build a new interchange on Interstate 39/90/94 in DeForest, which is located in northern Dane County, per The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The remaining cost would be footed by the taxpayers. This isn't sitting well with the Village of DeForest for obvious reasons.

Read more about Norwalk, IA mayor campaigning to bring the first Buc-ee's to Iowa on We Are Iowa's website.