Buc-ee’s lawsuit against Ohio mini mart sparks social media firestorm

A carryout in Beavercreek, Ohio, has drawn widespread attention on social media after telling customers it is being sued by Buc-ees over its beaver logo.

Beaver's Mini Mart is far smaller than Buc-ees, operating as a small family-owned business on a street corner in the Dayton suburb. Its logo also features a beaver.

The mini mart said earlier this week that it had become the latest target of Buc-ees trademark lawsuits, which were highlighted in a July segment on HBOs Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. Oliver cited several lawsuits Buc-ees has filed against smaller businesses using cartoon beaver images similar to the chains mascot.

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Earlier this year, Buc-ees opened its first Ohio location in Huber Heights, about a 20-minute drive from Beavercreek.

After Beaver's Mini Mart announced the lawsuit, local and state leaders came to the businesss defense, saying the name and logo were inspired by the citys history not the Texas-based chain known for its massive gas stations.

The city of Beavercreek said its name traces back to early European hunters and settlers, who named Big Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek after the areas large native beaver population.

The Beavercreek City Council is expected to vote on a resolution affirming the beaver as the citys historic symbol.

For the citizens of Beavercreek, the beaver is not just a corporate marketing device, the resolution states. It is a recognized representation of the citys identity, history and values, held in common by generations of residents.

Buc-ees did not mention that connection in its federal lawsuit.

In the filing, Buc-ees argued Beaver's Mini Marts logo is likely to cause confusion among consumers. The company said consumers could incorrectly assume a connection or association as to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of the parties products and services.

The lawsuit seeks to block Beaver's Mini Mart from using the logo and asks the business to pay Buc-ees legal fees.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine criticized the lawsuit in comments to The Columbus Dispatch.

They need to dismiss this lawsuit. This is ridiculous, DeWine said. It is Beavercreek, for heavens sake. You expect to find in Beavercreek things named beaver.

Some Ohio businesses also have launched fundraising campaigns to help Beaver's Mini Mart pay for its legal defense.

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Scripps News has contacted Buc-ees for comment.