More Buc-ee’s opening but not in NJ for this very dumb reason

You can add another state to the ever-growing list of places getting a Buc-ee’s.

The cult-favorite Texas travel center chain has been expanding. Last month, one opened for the first time in Arizona. Earlier this year, Ohio saw the grand opening of its first-ever Buc-ee’s. The massive stores feature Buc-ee’s trademark wall of snacks, barbecue, spotless restrooms and a huge number of gas pumps.

For Buc-ee’s fans, it’s another reason to celebrate. For New Jersey fans, it’s another reminder that we’re still on the outside looking in. Because that huge number of gas pumps are all self-serve.

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

And that’s where this gets frustrating.

Many here would love to have this travel center land in New Jersey. There was talk of it. But with our outright stubborn ban on self-serve gas, Buc-cee’s won’t come. It makes their business model impractical. They said so.

“The challenge is we can't open one until the state changes the rules on fueling," a Buc-cee’s spokesperson, Jeff Nadalo, explained. "We don't man our pumps."

SEE ALSO: A look inside the closest Buc-ee's to New Jersey

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

Thanks, Jersey. You just can’t get out of your own way, can you?

It’s absolutely pathetic that our state continues this antiquated ban, which, by the way, only started because self-serve gas was once so successful here that other gas stations banded together with strong-arm tactics and legislative muscle to have the competition put to rest. It never had anything to do with safety. It had everything to do with collusion.

SEE ALSO: My truth is I'd rather pump my own gas — and I did the math

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

Ain’t that the Jersey way?

And like a bunch of suckers, we let ourselves be brainwashed into thinking this is a luxury.

Well, I’ll tell you, if "luxurious" full-service is having an attendant eventually get to you while never getting off their cell phone and not saying a word to you during the entire transaction, is your idea of luxury, you can keep it.

Look, I know it’s never going to change. I also know you’re never going to have a Buc-ee’s here. We’ll also never stop being made fun of.

Congrats, Jersey!

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.

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