June 30, 2025: The Grand Frenzy

How does this place get so much buzz?

I remember when a new store opened near my childhood neighborhood. The sign appeared without fanfare, containing the block letters: Domino’s Pizza.

We had never heard of it before. But soon, the mystery started a movement. When the promise landed — 30 minute delivery or free pizza — families treated the restaurant like magic, ordering multiple times a week. Our sleepy town lost its mind.

Fast forward to today. A business launched in Virginia, and the grand opening went bonkers. People arrived hours before the ribbon-cutting. And parking? A clogged nightmare. One attendee described waiting 45 minutes just to get out of the lot.

A local media outlet interviewed someone who described the crowd as “worse than Costco on a Saturday morning.” That’s serious trauma.

What store could stir up this level of hysteria?

Buc-ee’s.

Yep, Virginia’s first location, at 74,000 square feet with over 120 gas pumps and a price tag of more than $60 million. Even the Governor and Lt. Governor showed up.

I truly wish Buc-ee the Beaver well. Maybe one day I’ll stop by to see what all the fuss is about. But I’m not going anywhere near that madness anytime soon.

Too bad I can’t get Beaver Nuggets delivered in 30 minutes or less.