Pretty Southern

Category: Variety

Variety

Everybody Loves Buc-ees!
You’ve heard the name, and you might have heard terms like “Beaver Nuggets” and “Romanian garlic beef jerky” and wondered what is this place and what are they selling? Well, it’s Buc-ees! The world’s largest gas station, truck-stop and convenience store chain, and it is incredible.

We’d heard whispers about Buc-ee’s for a long time, and I was always curious about this super-sized gas station convenience store. Now, on multiple road trips to the beach, we’ve been able to really soak in the Buc-ee’s travel center experience in various locations and can confirm it’s one of the best places to stop on a trip.

We are entirely smitten with the ever-expanding Texas chain of gas stations and truck stops.

Fudge? Brisket? Home Decor? T-shirts? Beach towels and chairs? A jerkey counter? Christmas ornaments? It’s all at Buc-ees.

Freakishly clean public restrooms? Check! I can say in my multiple decades of life that Buc-ee’s restrooms are the cleanest public restrooms I have ever entered! I have three children, and we’ve frequented a lot of public restrooms over the years…some I’d like to forget, but Buc-ee’s? They win the restroom game. They win, period.

The first thing you notice when approaching a Buc-ee’s store is the size. The campus is massive. When they say everything is bigger in Texas, Buc-ee’s took that to heart and is spreading it around the country.

The New Braunfels, Texas, store is the largest convenience store in the world, boasting a massive 66,335 square feet. The one in south Alabama isn’t as big, but it’s nothing to shake a stick at. Here’s another fun fact, Buc-ee’s has a Guinness World Record for the longest car wash at its Katy, Texas location. So basically, Buc-ee’s took the good, better, best ideology and bested it.

Everything about Buc-ee’s is top-notch. The shopping experience, the customer service, and the interior signage are all on-point with Buc-ee’s brand–the biggest, and the best.

During this latest trip to Orange Beach, I realized that I’d rather have the food items from Buc-ee’s than almost any fast food place I’ve ever stopped at on a road trip.

Although many people do, I’m not saying you should take the family out for a meal at Buc-ee’s, but the fact of the matter is Buc-ee’s is a great place to eat when on the road. No matter what your plans might be, Buc-ee’s is a great place to treat your taste buds if you’re traveling and don’t want to stop for a full sit-down meal.

We even take requests from friends who know we will pass through this magical place of beaver nuggets and pickled quail eggs and bring them back their favorite treats from everybody’s favorite gas station.

I’m not sure I’ve ever planned a vacation to visit a particular gas station or truck stop. Now, it’s a “must-do” whenever we have headed anywhere near a Buc-ee’s.

A lot can happen in a visit to Buc-ee’s. Let me tell you a story, or rather, a real-life experience…

It’s a Saturday afternoon, and my family and I stop at Buc-ee’s just outside Gulf Shores, Alabama. Naturally, it was hoppin’! We were anxious to get to the beach, so our goal was to get in and get out quickly. My husband offered to stand in line and get our food while I took our children to the bathroom. In minutes, my husband bought brisket, homemade potato chips, beaver nuggets, fudge — a lot of fudge — several kolaches, and some drinks.

Meanwhile, I took our kids to the cleanest bathrooms in the country, and we somehow ended up with Buc-ee’s t-shirts and a Christmas ornament adorned with the famous beaver mascot on the front. Oh! I can’t forget that before we left the building, we took a family picture in front of the red Buc-ee’s truck, with the giant oversized beaver on it, in addition to another family photo outside with a bronze beaver statue. Again, all of this in just minutes!

At this point, I find myself asking, “How did we get here?” “Why do we have so much fudge?” And, “Why do we love this place so much?” Everybody loves Buc-ee’s.

The good news was with multiple cashiers working, we didn’t have to wait long to check out despite the massive crowd.

Why does everybody love Buc-ee’s? I think it’s because there is something for everyone, honestly. The Texas-based and Texas-sized gas station chain has developed a cult following since its inception in 1982 for its clean restrooms, ample snacks, kitschy gifts, and adorable beaver mascot, and we are here for it! It’s a fun place to stop and an added novelty to any vacation or day trip.

There are 40+ locations in states all over the south, including its home state of Texas, plus Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, and Georgia. There is one coming soon to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

More states are continually being added to the Buc-ee’s roster; you can check and see if there is a Buc-ee’s coming to an area near you on their website, where the welcome message reads “Potty like a rockstar.” Think about it, if you’re on the road traveling, there’s nothing you’d like to do more than potty like a rockstar and get a delicious snack and maybe a cool hat. Done and done at Buc-ee’s.

If you’ve heard fanciful tales about this large travel center with a beaver mascot that people just can’t get enough of, here’s the truth… it’s amazing. Buc-ee’s is larger than life, and The Guinness World Record-holding nirvana promises the cleanest restrooms, a plethora of fueling positions, plus road snacks that put other stations – with higher gas prices – to shame. What could be better than that?

Just for fun, Pretty Southern has included a list of Buc-ee’s most popular foods:
- Beaver nuggets (puffed corn nuggets)
- Buc-ee’s nug-ees (kind of like cheese puffs)
- Dried fruit and veggies
- Gummy candy
- Trail mix
- The Jerky Counter (enough said)
- Breakfast tacos
- Candied jalapenos, pickles, and jams
- Hot sandwiches, the options are endless!
- Popcorn and pretzels
- Kolaches
- Sizzlin’ saltines
Everybody loves Buc-ee’s.
September 13, 2022
The Origin Story of Steel Magnolias

Have you watched Steel Magnolias lately?

The other night I popped some popcorn, grabbed a Coke Zero, and indulged my Southern female senses to the very max! Don’t worry, I didn’t forget the tissue–because we all know we need a few–dozen when watching this iconic film.

I’ve watched this film many times, but after watching it, I decided to learn more about its background as a play. Prepare yourself to laugh and cry while reading my findings. You might as well go ahead and grab some tissues too!

The Creation of Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias was originally a play written by Robert Harling, a true Southerner hailing from Louisiana. Harling based the work on his experience of his sister Susan dying from complications arising from Type 1 diabetes. He reimagined the last three years of her life as a play to process his grief, with encouragement from the acting class workshop he attended in New York City.

Harling originally wrote it as a short story to share with his nephew, and within ten days, his short story evolved into an entire play. In fact, one of Nicole Kidman’s earliest roles in her career was the part of Shelby in Harling’s original Steel Magnolias play.

When the play gained popularity, Ray Stark bought the film rights and began developing a movie adaptation with help from Gene Callahan, an old friend from Louisiana. Steel Magnolias would later be filmed in Natchitoches, Lousiana, Robert Harling’s hometown.

Hello Hollywood!

The play had been such a success on Broadway that Bette Davis herself met with Harling and requested that she star in the movie and Katherine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor too! Wow, what a cast that would have been!

During the film’s shoot, a major Hollywood writers’ strike occurred, and Robert Harling could not be involved in any rewrites. So, he did what any sincerely invested playwright would do: he visited the set incognito to stay involved with his passion project.

I can’t imagine anyone else other than Julia Roberts portraying Shelby. However, she was third in line for the role, after Meg Ryan and Winona Ryder. Robert Harling said, “She walked into the room, and that smile lit everything up, and I said, ‘that’s my sister,’ so she joined the party, and she was magnificent.”

The Authenticity of Steel Magnolias

If you have seen the film, then you know the main character, Shelby is sick. We all know these scenes are coming; however, they always trigger such real emotions, don’t they?

Perhaps, part of this is that instead of using actors to play the hospital staff who care for Shelby, filmmakers asked real doctors and nurses to fill these roles. Not only that, but the medical staff that appeared in the film were the same ones that cared for Robert Harling’s sister Susan during her final days.

The nurse who turns off Shelby’s life support in the film was played by the real-life nurse who provided palliative care for Susan. Despite being a scene that must have hit very close to home, Robert Harling’s mother insisted on being on set while Shelby’s death was filmed. His mother also insisted on staying until the end to see Julia Roberts get up and walk away once filming stopped. Not only did Harling write a successful play about his sister, a strong woman, it is clear that his mother was also a true steel magnolia.

Did you know the name Steel Magnolias comes from the hidden strength of what at first seem like extremely delicate flowers?

In a 2017 interview, writer Robert Harling said, “My mother would always say to handle magnolia blossoms carefully because they bruise so easily.” This combination of steeliness and gentleness inspired the name of his award-winning play and subsequent film. As we all know, the leading ladies of this film are both beautiful and delicate and as tough as steel.

Fun Facts

The historic house in which Steel Magnolias was filmed is a bed and breakfast where fans can book themselves for the night. Looking for a fun girls’ trip? Its website promises a “traditional bed and breakfast experience, with a full breakfast, along with true Southern hospitality.” Who is ready for an authentic Steel Magnolia experience?

In the original Steel Magnolias stage play, all of the action takes place in the beauty salon. So when the set director went looking for the perfect, quirky beauty shop to film in, she found one right there in town!

When she approached the owner about filming there, she promised to purchase her all new equipment when filming concluded. She stayed faithful to her word and revamped the local beauty shop after borrowing the old version of the store for the movie.

Speaking of beauty, both Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah had to study hairdressing to avoid any burns, miscuts, or slip-ups while in character.

Who wants Dolly to do their hair? I know I do!

There were no men at all in the original stage play. Just like the characters in the film, the leading figures in the play form close female friendships. However, one key difference makes the action and dialogue in the play all the more unusual. Although the play characters do speak about men, no man ever sets foot on the stage.

The director of the film, Hebert Ross, was notorious for being quite critical and challenging. The all-star female cast’s bond grew stronger and stronger as they continued to support each other throughout the movie’s filming.

Harling said that he raced through writing the Steel Magnolias script, finishing it all in one go.

“The events that inspired it were so powerful that, after I found the story arena, it just poured out into my typewriter in a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness.”

Thank you, Mr. Harling, for your tsunami of Southerness. Thirty-two years later, we are still moved by your words and positive representation of strong female roles. What a wonderful reminder to not only strive to be a steel magnolia but to also recognize and appreciate the steel magnolias in our own lives.

Who are the southern Steel Magnolias in your life?

Editor’s note – credit to some of our favorite Southern publications including Country Living and Garden & Gun for their interviews with Harling.

June 27, 2021
Celebrate The Holiday Season at The Rink at Park Tavern Powered By Pepsi

This holiday season, Park Tavern in Piedmont Park is pulling out all the stops for its popular ice skating rink that has become a beloved annual tradition for all ages. Presenting Fire & Ice at The Rink Powered by Pepsi, Park Tavern will welcome guests Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 23, 2018 through Monday, January 21, 2019 to a completely transformed environment that boasts an enchanted Neo-Victorian feel and design elements, charming holiday decor, fun and games, special events, seasonal signature cocktails, delicious fare, and much more.

An iconic destination with a rich history that dates back to 1905, Paul Smith, owner of Park Tavern explains, “We couldn’t think of a better time to celebrate our longstanding history in the park and in Atlanta than during the holidays. We’ve reignited our love for upcycling along with vintage artistry and traditions. This year, we’re incorporating a mix of brass and copper, wood and glass elements, mechanical workings, and ornate engraving – reminiscent of the building’s beginnings, to set the scene for a magical wintertime experience for skaters and diners alike.”

The Fire & Ice season of The Rink at Park Tavern will once again bring patrons unobstructed views of Piedmont Park and the Midtown skyline. Skaters will stay warm under the heated Garden Tent and enjoy a state-of-the-art sound system and an 85-foot long and 40-foot wide rink that comfortably accommodates 200 day and night. Observers are invited to sit back and relax and catch up with family and friends or just play online games at Arkadium by stone fire pits and fireplaces, in private cabanas, and ample seating while catching their favorite teams on multiple flat screen TVs. If you’re looking to have fun playing games online, you should really consider online casinos. There are a good amount of online casinos not using Gamstop that use Trustly as a payment method, you can read more at www.nonukcasinos.uk.

In addition to rink and park-side dining, seasonal cocktails and house-made brews from one of Atlanta’s oldest breweries, guests can also take advantage of 1/2 price wine bottles every Wednesday, 1/2 off fresh sushi, sangria, Park Tavern drafts and Frosé from 9 p.m. to midnight, s’mores, and a variety of events and games – from frozen turkey bowling and weekly Steampunk skate parties to celebrating New Year’s Eve during their annual, sold-out bash with Yacht Rock Revue.

Providing high quality rental skates that are professionally sharpened, The Rink at Park Tavern Powered by Pepsi will be open Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Guests of all ages can enjoy skating experiences for $15 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday until 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., The Rink becomes an ages 16 and up venue until midnight. Skaters that dress up in Steampunk attire for ‘Skate After 8 p.m.’, will get to skate for free. The Rink is also available for private skating lessons, parties, marriage proposals and more. To make reservations and for the most up to date event calendar, specialty packages, and venue rental information, visit www.parktavern.com.

November 21, 2018
Q & A with Daren Wang – “The Hidden Light of Northern Fires”

Daren Wang is not a native Southerner but his roots run deep.

Wang is the author of The Hidden Light of Northern Fires. While this is his first novel, he has a unique vantage point on what makes a successful story since he served as the executive director of the Decatur Books Festival for 12 years (he’s also the founder).

Before launching the festival, Daren had a 20-year career in public radio, both national and local. He’s also written for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Paste Magazine, and Five Points magazine, among other publications.

Editor’s note — I could gush on about how much I loved The Hidden Light of Northern Fires, but instead y’all can read my Amazon book review.

Daren and I were introduced by a mutual connection, Decatur’s own Susan Wietsma. We connected over coffee at Dancing Goats on a hot summer morning where we talked about writing, the South, and the state of our world. He was kind enough to let us publish some of our Q&A on Pretty Southern.

Read on to learn more about Daren Wang and The Hidden Light of Northern Fires.

Tell us your story and what led you to the path of writing your first novel.

“I grew in the little rebellious hamlet where the book is set, hearing stories about how the town had seceded from the Union. The firemen all wore patches that said ‘Last of The Rebels’. People always talked about our house, and once, the local news came and did a story about it being part of the underground railroad. The weight, the uniqueness of the story didn’t strike me until I’d come south and spent a lot of time with Southern authors. After I found an oral history of the Willis family, the people who built the house, I started researching and eventually had to write.”

What’s the elevator pitch for your book?

“In the only secessionist town north of the Mason Dixon, a young woman risks everything to run a stop on the Underground Railroad.”

Your home is in Decatur where you founded the Decatur Book Festival. What do you see for the future of your city and the South?

“Decatur has so much going for it. I think it’s going to grow and prosper moving forward, but I think some of what makes Decatur unique will be lost. Of course, that’s the story with so much development these days.”

How has the Southern literary scene changed over the years?

“The term ‘Southern Writer’ gets fuzzier every day. In the 1960s, the defining list of Southern writers was so clearly Southern, there was no question: Faulkner, O’Connor, Welty, etc. You just knew. Today, the term gets applied loosely. I wrote a book about a young woman on a farm 15 miles from the Canadian border in Western New York, and it is largely considered a Southern Novel. If something is rural, people think of it as Southern.”

“I’m not sure what Southern means anymore.”

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer? Would you share some of your secrets to success?

“Your first draft will suck. They all do. Get in the chair and write, then rewrite, then rewrite again. The difference between you and a great writer is the work. The number one writing skill is patience.”

What are your favorite books / who are your favorite authors?

“Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude looms large, along with Frazier’s Cold Mountain and O’Connor’s A Good Man is Hard to Find. Chuck Rosenthal’s The Loop Trilogy is the funniest thing I’ve ever read, and heartbreaking too. Natasha Trethewey’s Native Guard. Ask me again tomorrow, and I’ll have a different list.”

You have an incredible, eclectic taste in music that’s showcased in the mixtape you put together for The Hidden Light of Northern Fires. What inspired you to publish this and share it with your readers?

“I grew up a vinyl junkie and ran record stores for years. Songwriting, as much as anything, inspires the sentences I write, and the way I tell stories. I planted dozens of little musical nuggets, you might call them ‘Easter eggs’, throughout the novel. I wanted to give credit to the source of so much of went through my head as I wrote.”

Who are some of those folks you’d like to give shoutouts to?

“I’ve got a long list of acknowledgments in the book, but this week, I want to give a shoutout to Julie Wilson, who took over for me at the helm of the Decatur Book Festival. She’s done a great job wrangling that, and I’m really proud of the work she’s done.”

What comes next? What are your goals for 2018 and beyond?

“I’ve been tooling around with the next novel, but the structure, the spine of it just came clear to me over the last week or two. I’m hoping to settle in and get this next one written.”

The Hidden Light of Northern Fires is now available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and audiobook via Amazon. Keep up with Daren by following him on Twitter. And while you’re at it, follow Pretty Southern, too. #LoveTheSouth.

September 1, 2018
Bloveit – The Concierge Date Night Service

The trick to successful relationships is to always feel like you’re dating your partner, and Bloveit is here to help.

In our (almost) eight years of marriage, my husband and I have committed to weekly date nights. Typically on Friday nights, it’s the one night a week we reserve just for us. And while we have our go-to spots, we’re always looking to try something new. Which is why I was super excited to learn about Bloveit, a date night concierge service for couples.

Bloveit was kind enough to offer us a complimentary date night to St. Cecilia in Atlanta so we could check out the experience for ourselves. We’ll get into those details in a minute, but first, let’s get to know more about this concept from Bloveit’s CEO & founder, Ugo Ezeamuzie.

Tell us your story and what led you to the path of launching Bloveit?

“Oh man, that’s a long story, but in a nutshell, I’ve always been passionate about dating and relationships. I lived in New York City for about five years and was kind of a “Hitch” for my friends, helping them plan dates and navigate their dating/romantic relationships and even recommending products like this dragon style dildo they could use in their relationships. That experience helped me see just how much of a pain planning dates can be for a lot of people. The idea for Bloveit was conceived in NYC but it was birthed in ATL, and we couldn’t have picked a better city for our launch. Not only does Atlanta have incredible talent coming out of Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, Morehouse and so many other schools, but it has an amazing restaurant scene, tech scene and a demographic that’s responding so well to our product.” If you’re unlucky when it comes to days, you might as well experiment with products. Just make sure to be cautious. No wonder there are information such as sex toy injuries.

“Our mission is to empower people to be their most romantic self. We think helping couples plan date nights in a fast, easy and delightful way is a great first step in accomplishing that mission.”

What’s the Bloveit elevator pitch, and how has Bloveit grown since it launched?

“Bloveit is a date night concierge that helps busy couples plan awesome date nights at the click of a button. We started the date night concierge concept in April 2017 and since then we’ve grown 42X. But not only have we grown, we’re seeing great retention as well because we’re helping couples develop the date night habits they’ve always wanted. So many couples know and talk about the incredible benefits of doing date night on a consistent basis. But many of them have never been able to create a plan and stick to it. Bloveit makes that super fun and easy.”

“We make help couples build a consistent date night habit, spend quality time together, discover new restaurants and ideas in your city, stay intimate & connected, have a blast together and create new memories. Is that what we all want in our relationships?”

The importance of product-market fit cannot be understated when it comes to having a startup succeed. How has Bloveit created its own niche?

“About 99% of the products, apps, and brands out there in the dating and relationship space are created with singles in mind. We wanted to create something for couples. There are so many dating apps out there for every kind of single person and they’re all designed to help singles find someone. But what happens after you’ve already found someone? How do you keep that relationship fresh, fun and exciting for the next 10, 20, 30-plus years? We believe the couples market is completely untapped and is a niche that represents a huge opportunity.”

What are your favorite date nights you’ve been on or planned for clients? Any favorite menus? Fave drinks? Activities?

“Personally, I’m a fan of Barcelona Wine Bar. I just love the vibe and ambiance in there. Plus the tapas are delicious! But I think what’s more fun is planning dates for our couples. We’re seeing couples ask us to help them plan dates to celebrate some of their most special occasions. We’ve had couples plan birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and many more.”

“As I’m writing this, we’re helping one of our couples with a gender reveal on their Bloveit date. The wife reached out and wanted us to help us surprise her husband with the gender of their baby on the way. That’s incredible! We’re so honored to get to share in those kinds of special moments with our couples. It’s so rewarding!”

What’s your perfect date night? Or the best date you’ve been on in ATL?

“My girlfriend and I’s first date was super low key but really fun. We had dinner at Waffle House in Midtown (classy I know) and then got ice cream at Jeni’s and then walked over to JCT Kitchen for some cocktails and live music. Best first date ever!”

Who are some of those folks you’d like to give shoutouts to?

“I’m super proud of the work my team is doing so obviously shout out to them. Our Techstars mentors and advisors have also been really helpful so shout out them for sure!”

What’s the revenue model for Bloveit?

We make money in two ways:
1. We charge couples $9.99 per month to plan each date night.
2. We negotiate to take a 10-15% cut of the total bill from the restaurant side.

Editor’s note — learn more in this interview Ugo from Bloveit did with Atlanta Tech Edge

What comes next? What are your goals for 2018 and beyond?

“Our primary goal for 2018 is to find product-market fit, and we have a few milestones associated with that goal. For example, we have plans to launch a new version of Bloveit which will have some key features we’ve been working on, like our gifting feature, where someone can gift a Bloveit date to their couple friends. We also have plans to complete our pre-seed round of funding that is live right now. We also want to make a couple of new hires to help us with tech and marketing.”

“As for goals beyond 2018, we want to be our second city by late 2019, and then grow from there.”

Your home is in Atlanta. How is Bloveit helping to support our city’s growth? What do you see for the future of the South?

“We hope to employ a ton of people here in Atlanta in the years to come. We also hope to build the next great consumer brand to come out of Atlanta that rivals the likes of MailChimp, Scoutmob, etc. And I think we can do it because we care about the space so much! We’re so passionate about empowering people to be their most romantic self – that’s our mission and that’s what drives us every day!”

“I think Atlanta has so much potential and with it comes the South as well. I think the tech scene in Atlanta, in particular, is going to explode in the next five years.”

Now here are pictues from our own Bloveit date night at St. Cecilia.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a flower and ‘love note’ from Bloveit waiting on our table.

Chef Craig Richards was kind enough to send out a hamachi crudo appetizer. It was exceptional!

What’s a date night without aphrodisiacs?! The oysters at St. Cecilia were awesome.

This squid ink pasta with clams was sooo good! Bloveit sends you the options for your dinner before arriving, and while I was nervous about the squid ink at first, it was so tasty that my husband and I swapped plates halfway through the meal!

I love Bloveit so much that I became a subscriber. It’s only $9.99 per month and the first month is free. To learn more, check out Bloveit’s website and blog plus follow Bloveit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

Thanks again to the Bloveit team for our awesome date night, and be sure to follow along with our adventures at Pretty Southern. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

August 10, 2018
Atlanta Beer Bus Offers Sunday Funday BOGO Rides
Toast to the summer with good friends and local brews because starting Sunday, June 24th, the Atlanta Beer Bus is kicking off BOGO Sundays. Available every Sunday, beer lovers that purchase one originally priced wristband for $15 will receive a second wristband for free.

The Atlanta Beer Bus is a hop-on/hop-off shuttle service that transports beer enthusiasts between Atlanta’s finest breweries. Stops include:
- SweetWater Brewing Company
- Monday Night Brewery in West Midtown
- Urban Tree Cidery
- Second Self Beer Company
- Scofflaw Brewing Co.
- Red Brick Brewing Company
- Park Tavern
- Orpheus Brewing
- Plus more fun!
June 30, 2018