How about giving all that money to Beaver conservation?
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WKRC) – A business has been ordered to pay Buc-ee’s $850,000 after a judge ruled that it infringed on the company’s trademark.
A South Carolina apparel retailer has been ordered to stop selling clothing featuring an unauthorized version of Buc-ee’s beaver logo and to pay the Texas-based convenience store chain $850,000, according to WCIV.
Born United, which operates stores in North Charleston, Summerville and Myrtle Beach, was sued by Buc-ee’s in 2025 along with owners Cameron Bechtold, Jared Williams and Josiah Bradley, WCIV reported.
The lawsuit centered on the company’s use of a design resembling Buc-ee’s trademarked beaver logo.
State Sen. Tom Fernandez, R-S.C., previously held a partial ownership interest in Born United’s Myrtle Beach location but was not named in the case. He said he is no longer involved with the company.
“I am no longer an owner of Born United, including the Myrtle Beach store, and I was not a party to the lawsuit reported in the news today,” Fernandez wrote on Facebook. “I continue to support the Born United team and the hardworking small-business entrepreneurs behind it. They have built a strong brand, and I have every confidence they will learn, grow, and come back stronger than before. I wish them nothing but success moving forward.
“More broadly, I do not support large corporations using their size and resources to bully small businesses through litigation. I’m pulling for the family-owned Beaver’s Mini Mart in Ohio and hope they eat Buc-ee’s lunch.”
Fernandez had defended Born United’s use of the logo in a June 3, 2025, Facebook post, writing that it was “not the Buc-ee’s logo. It’s creative. It’s different. And it’s protected.”
“The owners of Born United have spoken with their attorneys, and they feel confident, very confident, in their legal position,” he continued. “They’re not backing down. And I fully support them in fighting this in court.”
Fernandez said he owned 49% of the Myrtle Beach store at that time.
Under the settlement, Born United could be responsible for its own legal fees and Buc-ee’s attorney fees if it violates the agreement, WCIV reported. Both sides waived their right to appeal the ruling.
