Norwalk wants a Buc-ee's and is asking for the public's help to make it happen.
The city's mayor and Economic Development Department are asking the travel center chain to consider making Norwalk home to what would be Buc-ee's first Iowa location. The city is directing people to an online petition and campaign to do exactly that — "Bring a Buc-ees to Norwalk, Iowa."
The Texas-based chain has been building further north with a planned large gas station and convenience store in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and west, with the company looking at a travel center in Meridian, Idaho. But the brand known for its long-line of gas pumps, clean restrooms — "the cleanest restrooms in America," according to Buc-ee's website — and beaver-themed merchandise has so far passed on Iowa.
More: Buc-ee's, the famous Texas-based convenience chain, is moving north. Why not Iowa?
Norwalk Mayor Tom Phillips wants to change that.
"I’ve seen our community grow, thrive, and dream big — but now it’s time to dream even bigger. Picture this: you’re cruising along I-35, and just off the exit, you’re welcomed not only by our hometownpride, but by the legendary beaver of Buc-ee’s," Phillips said in a news release.
The city touted the idea as a "transformative project" that could fuel economic development and tourism as the Buc-ee's serves local residents and interstate travelers. In exchange, Norwalk said it can offer Buc-ee's "ideal access, high visibility, and strong infrastructure."
What's next? The city is asking people to spread the word on social media and sign the online petition created by a Norwalk Economic Development Department staff member. The petition is available at change.org/p/bring-a-buc-ees-to-norwalk-iowa and through a Facebook page, facebook.com/people/Bring-Buc-ees-To-Iowa/61578798534642.
Buc-ee's has a cult following. Videos from recent openings this summer of locations in Rockingham County, Virginia, and Pass Christian, Mississippi — those states' first Buc-ee's — showed enthusiastic people lining up outside of ahead of the grand openings, grabbing shopping carts and buying up merchandise.
The closest Buc-ee's to Des Moines is in Springfield, Missouri. The store, about 361 miles away, opened in December 2023 after more than a year of construction. The next closest is about 760 miles away in Crossville, Tennessee.
The proposed Wisconsin store would be closer at about 305 miles away.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected]. Find out more about him online in the Register's staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Norwalk wants Iowa's first Buc-ee's and is asking for help to get it
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