🌅 🏁 The Buc-ee’s Switch

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! Another week has come to an end! I didn’t realize until late yesterday that it’s Good Friday! The roads are relatively quiet since school is not in session. From what I can gather, most businesses are still open. Also, if you’re looking for something to do with your family, be sure to check yesterday’s event list for a variety of Easter events. Alright…

🌡️ Weather Update: Breezy sunshine by day, mellow skies by night

☀️ Day: High of 80°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy
🌙 Night: Low of 70°F | 🌙 Mostly clear and mild
🌅 Sunrise: 6:53 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:48 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “As” by Stevie Wonder 🌞🌀

🍋 The Main Squeeze: Buc-ee’s Is Coming… and So Is Everything Else

If you live here long enough, you start to notice a pattern: once one thing comes, everything else follows. And Buc-ee’s seems to be no different.

Most of the headlines have focused on the fact that Buc-ee’s is coming to St. Lucie County, right on Indrio Road, sitting between Indian River and St. Lucie lines. But what hasn’t really been talked about is what that kind of move signals. This story from TCPalm makes it plain: when a Buc-ee’s shows up, development follows.

• 🛣️ The site: Indrio Road and I-95, north of Fort Pierce

• ⛽ The build: 76,000+ square foot store, 120 gas pumps, 778 parking spots

• 📆 Timeline: Slated to open in 2026

If you’ve ever been to a Buc-ee’s and I usually find myself at one any time I’m driving north of Daytona then you already know. It’s not just a gas station. It’s a whole thing. And it usually brings more with it: more stores, more housing, more infrastructure.

Right now, Indrio is mostly bare bones. There are a few communities out there, but it’s quiet. Wide open land. That’s starting to change.

There’s a 21-acre plot just down the road now listed for $2.75 million, being marketed simply as “Near Buc-ee’s.” And that’s really the story — this isn’t just about a travel center. It’s about what Buc-ee’s represents for the north end of the county.

👀 Why It Matters: Depending on who you ask, this is either an opportunity or a warning sign. But no matter how you feel about growth, it’s happening. Buc-ee’s might just be the spark that flips the switch for everything else out there.

🔗 Read the full story here
📝 Leave your thoughts here

🍊 The Press Round: Anxiety at the Pump

🍊 Homeless Count Drops, But Gaps Remain

The Treasure Coast saw a 19% drop in homelessness this year—driven by big declines in St. Lucie and Indian River counties. But leaders say the count isn’t perfect, and the region still lacks affordable housing. The update was shared during the annual In His Shoes awards, honoring advocates like Stefanie Myers and the legacy of Walter Washington Jr.

Read more

⛽️ Port St. Lucie Ranks for Gas Price Anxiety

Port St. Lucie made the top 100 U.S. cities where people feel the most pressure at the pump. Coming in at No. 81, per a new study.

Read more

🚸 Children’s Museum Lease Extended Through 2060

Martin commissioners approved a long-term lease extension so the museum can pursue major donations for its proposed planetarium project.

Read more

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

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🎉Events: Top 5 Clicked Events For The Week!

Friday, Apr 18

• 🖼️ Peacock Arts Market – Monthly market featuring local artists and creators in Fort Pierce. | 8 AM–3 PM | Free | Details

• 🖼️ April Art Walk: “Inspired” Exhibit – Opening night at The Vault Art Gallery in Downtown Fort Pierce. | Evening | Free | Details

Saturday, Apr 19

• 🎈 Easter Eggstravaganza @ Central Baptist – Bounce houses, egg hunts, and prizes for all ages. | 10 AM–12 PM | Free | Details

• 🥚 FUMC Eggstravaganza – Family Easter fun with egg hunts, games, and spring activities. | 10 AM–1 PM | Free | Sportsman’s Park West, 220 NW Irving St, Port St. Lucie, FL

• 🌿 FORT20 Fest 2025 – Live music, DJs, and vendors in downtown Fort Pierce for 420. | 3 PM–Midnight | Free–$30 | Details

More Events

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Florida vs Florida

1. 👋 Meet the New City Manager

   Join Fort Pierce in welcoming Richard D. Chess at a public meet-and-greet on April 22, 4:30–6:30 PM at River Walk Center. Details

2. 🌳 Florida passed a bill
   Bill prohibits golf courses, pickleball and luxury development in state parks. Read more

3. 🏒 Panthers vs. Lightning: The rivalry returns

   The Sunshine State showdown hits the ice again as Florida faces Tampa in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

   Series schedule + story

📸 This is Sunland: Photo for the Road!

See you Monday! With Love…

Ja’Min

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