Michelle Whitfield : “Mississippi’s First Buc-ee’s Construction Hurts Businesses”

Construction is well underway on Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s location on Menge Avenue in Harrison County. The once densely forested lot is now a hive of activity, with red dirt, concrete, and heavy machinery transforming the landscape.

The walls of the store are now standing tall and supported, marking the outline of where gas pumps will soon be serving customers. The expansive site is being paved with asphalt, and progress is evident in every direction. However, the anticipated opening date has been pushed back from December 2024 to Spring 2025.

Adjacent to the Buc-ee’s construction site, crews have been hard at work demolishing the old interstate overpass. The widened bridge is nearing completion, with structural support beams already in place. The closure of the bridge for approximately a year has had a significant impact on nearby businesses.

Michelle Whitfield, the owner of the Flea Market on Menge, expressed the challenges faced by her business due to the construction. She noted a substantial decline in traffic, with sales comparable to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Our RV Park is down by 20 or 30%, and our vendors are struggling to make ends meet. The decrease in footfall has led some vendors to leave, unable to cover their rental costs. The impact on sales has been significant, forcing many to reconsider their presence at the market,” Whitfield explained.

Despite the challenges, some vendors remain optimistic, hoping that the completion of the construction project will bring increased traffic to Menge Avenue, benefiting the flea market as well.

Donna Briggs, a vendor at the flea market, shared her excitement about the potential influx of customers once Buc-ee’s opens its doors. “With Buc-ee’s right there, we’re hopeful that visitors will extend their journey to include our market,” Briggs said.

Do you spot a spelling or grammar mistake in this article? Kindly report it to our team here.