New Development to Bring Travel Center & Restaurants to Mercedes

Mercedes, TX: One of the nation’s premier fuel distributors will develop and open a 12,000-square-foot travel center in Mercedes – a first of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley.

Victron Energy, Inc., plans to break ground on the project this summer and open its travel center in early 2023. The center will include a Wendy’s in addition to a gift shop, a stylish food-and-snacks store, with large and clean bathrooms including showers. A Chick-fil-A will open next door to the travel center. The entire development will be located along Expressway 83 and in close proximity to the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets and the La Quinta Inn & Suites.

“t’s a wonderful location,’’ said Mohamed Sharaf, Victron’s vice president for development, who will also be the travel center’s owner. “It’s close to two major airports and the outlet mall. I can’t think of a better location.’’

Sharaf said his travel center will “have more products, clean bathrooms, and be a place you can go to any time of day.’’ The center will feature numerous gas pumps to fuel up. It will be reminiscent of a Buc-ee’s, Sharaf said, with a look and design that will reflect the ranching history and livestock shows of Mercedes.

“This is a community I wanted to invest in,’’ Sharaf said. “Mercedes is pro-business. Everyone in the city has been nothing but kind and accommodating to what we want to do.’’