Beavercreek adopts beaver into city history
Buc-ee’s Ltd., the Texas-based convenience store chain known for its buck-toothed beaver mascot, has sued Beaver’s Mini Mart in federal court in Ohio over its beaver logo, setting off a backlash across Ohio and prompting the mini mart’s home city to declare the beaver part of its official history.
The company filed the trademark-infringement suit in late July, asking for a jury trial. Buc-ee’s argues the mini mart’s beaver logo too closely resembles the chain’s branded “Bucky” beaver.
The dispute comes four months after Buc-ee’s, a chain known for its extensive food offerings and massive restrooms, opened its first Ohio store, located less than a half-hour’s drive from Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek. The mini mart’s name is itself a play on its home city’s name.
The suit is the latest in a series of trademark-infringement cases Buc-ee’s has filed against businesses using animal-themed branding. The chain has previously targeted cartoon characters including a hat-wearing bear, a smiling moose, and a lip-licking alligator.
In Beavercreek, city officials responded by passing a resolution making the beaver an official part of the city’s history.
The dispute drew national attention after British comedian John Oliver devoted a segment of his show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” to Buc-ee’s history of trademark lawsuits targeting various woodland creatures. Oliver launched a website selling merchandise featuring a knockoff “Buc-off” logo and a squirrel mascot he named Mr. Nutterbutter.
On X, the hashtag #boycottbucees trended as supporters of Beaver’s Mini Mart attacked Buc-ee’s online and called for boycotts of its stores.