Buc-ee’s picked a fight with a tiny Ohio store over a beaver. Now an entire town is fighting back

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Buc-ee’s says it is simply protecting its trademark.

The company said it discovered Beaver’s Mini Mart after owner Vic Boparai registered the trade name in October. State records show the business incorporated as Hanes Road Carryout in 2017 before changing its name to Beaver’s Mini Mart in January 2025.

Buc-ee’s said it repeatedly tried to contact Boparai after identifying what it considered a trademark conflict but received no response, eventually prompting the lawsuit.

According to state filings, the enterprise incorporated in 2017 under the name Hanes Road Carryout before changing its title to Beaver’s Mini Mart in January 2025—about four months after Buc-ee’s broke ground on its Dayton-area site.

Buc-ee’s stated that after identifying a brand conflict, it reached out to Boparai multiple times without receiving a response, leaving it with no option but to file suit.

Boparai has not publicly addressed the allegations but thanked supporters for rallying behind his business.

“We are overwhelmed by your support for our business and other small businesses everywhere,” he said.

A customer walks into Beaver's Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio — A customer walks into Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The lawsuit is not Buc-ee’s first Ohio trademark fight.

In February, the company sued the owner of northern Ohio’s Mickey Mart gas stations, arguing its cartoon moose mascot could be confused with Buc-ee’s beaver.

Mickey Mart’s response was simple: “A moose is not a beaver.”

Buc-ee’s has previously pursued other businesses over animal-themed logos as part of what the company says are efforts to protect its valuable brand.

Customers at the Buc-ee's location in Huber Heights, Ohio, pose with the company's mascot — Customers at the Buc-ee’s location in Huber Heights, Ohio, pose with the company’s mascot (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Back in Beavercreek, the controversy has become a community cause.

The City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring the beaver a permanent part of the city’s more than 200-year history, with local school mascot Bucky the Beaver attending the meeting.

Satirical images mocking the lawsuit have spread rapidly across social media. One viral graphic featured the Ohio State University football mascot, Brutus Buckeye, tackling the Buc-ee’s beaver.

Community backing has also extended to financial support. A GoFundMe page aimed at helping Beaver’s Mini Mart cover legal fees to avoid going out of business—a fate suffered by other small operations targeted by Buc-ee’s—raised at least $69,000.

John Oliver ridiculed Buc-ee's over its string of trademark lawsuits against companies using cartoon rodents as logos — John Oliver ridiculed Buc-ee’s over its string of trademark lawsuits against companies using cartoon rodents as logos (HBO)

The mini mart also gave The Original Goodie Shop bakery in Upper Arlington permission to put its mascot on a specialty cookie, with $1 from each sale earmarked for legal expenses. Meanwhile, Beavercreek bakery Cake, Hope & Love began selling beaver-decorated cookies, encouraging residents to support local shops.

Several other businesses near Dayton—including a Lego retailer and a root beer shop—temporarily adapted their corporate logos to feature beavers in solidarity. Dozens of local companies in Beavercreek already include the town’s name or the word beaver in their business titles.

Even Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who attended the opening of the new Buc-ee’s earlier this year, has criticized the lawsuit.

“It is Beavercreek, for heaven’s sake,” DeWine said, calling the legal action “absurd.”