A new store named “Dominican Buc-ee’s Gift Shop” in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has gone viral on social media, sparking concerns among fans of the original Buc-ee’s chain over potential trademark issues. The store, which offers typical beach-themed merchandise, was highlighted in a TikTok video posted by user Spike Ali on October 7. The video captured viewers’ attention, amassing over 393,000 views within a day.
Located in the Plaza Uvero Alto shopping area, the “Dominican Buc-ee’s Gift Shop” features items such as sunglasses, hats, and Punta Cana-themed bags, along with several shelves stocked with rum. The video prompted many users to share similar photographs and humorous name variations, including “Dominican Macy’s by Nicky Minaj” and “Dominican Wall-mart.”
Commenters engaged playfully, with some speculating on the store’s offerings, asking if it would feature Caribbean dishes like pernil or mofongo. However, the excitement was tempered by concern over potential legal repercussions from the Texas-based Buc-ee’s chain. One user expressed hesitation, urging, “Do not let them see this.”
Buc-ee’s is known for its aggressive legal stance on trademark infringements, a fact that has become a point of humor on shows like HBO’s Last Week Tonight, hosted by John Oliver, who has even created parody merchandise poking fun at the company’s trademark enforcement. Earlier this year, Buc-ee’s filed a lawsuit against a convenience store in Beaver Creek, Ohio, named Beaver’s Mini Mart, which sparked considerable backlash.
The company has a history of pursuing legal action against establishments with similar names, including Buky’s in Houston, Super Fuels in Dallas, and Barc-ee’s in Missouri. Buc-ee’s reportedly holds 51 trademarks, underscoring its commitment to protecting its brand identity. As the situation develops, it remains unclear how Buc-ee’s will respond to the “Dominican Buc-ee’s Gift Shop” or if legal measures will be considered.
