During Tuesday morning’s Christian County Fiscal Court session, Oak Grove Mayor Theresa Jarvis made a brief, but pointed, mention of Buc-ee’s — the world’s largest convenience store — coming to her area in south Christian County, bringing with it more than 140 gasoline pumps and 300 new jobs.
It was all part of her discussion with magistrates, in which she notes that Oak Grove is the county’s second-largest city, and describes a strong desire for the southern part of Hopkinsville and the northern part of her municipality to “meet, and grow together.”
An undisclosed source indicates that the Buc-ee’s location would almost certainly be along Exit 89.
The Texas-based business built its first travel center store in 1982, and since has expanded to multiple states over the last three years.
Much like its home state, the larger-than-life locations are well known for their clean bathrooms, Texas-style barbecue and jerky, and its beloved beaver mascot.
Two other Buc-ee’s locations are currently being prepared in Kentucky — Smiths Grove and Richmond — making Oak Grove potentially the third such in line for the company.
At the current moment, Oak Grove is not listed on the Buc-ee’s timetable, with the Richmond store set to open in the second quarter of this year, and the Smiths Grove location slated for a 2023 opening.
Florence, South Carolina (2Q 2022); Crossville, Tennessee (2022); Athens, Alabama (2023); Auburn Alabama (2023); Johnstown, Colorado (2024); and Boerne, Texas (2025) are currently on the company’s public calendar.
As for other Oak Grove concerns, Jarvis also mentioned that the uphill battle for its own elementary school continues — particularly with its students having to go to either Pembroke or South Christian for education.
Jarvis also asked the fiscal court to consider discussions with both Pennyrile and Hopkinsville Electric Systems, in expediting the timeline for broadband internet structure to the southern part of the county — not only because of a concentrated population, but because of the demographics.
As a “sister city” to Fort Campbell, Jarvis said many families wide-ranging in age needed high-speed internet services sooner, rather than later.
Between the April 2010 Census and the April 2020 Census, Oak Grove has seen its population increase 6%, to more than 7,900.
