Battle of the Beavers Round 2: Westchester group back in trademark fight with Buc-ee's gas station
The co-founder of the Dad's Club says he hopes the two parties can come to a friendly agreement that allows them to coexist.
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A Westchester dads' group is back in a legal fight all over a beaver logo.
Aaron Ladds is a Dobbs Ferry lawyer who helped start a fast-growing group called Dad's Club.
"Dad's Club exists to build belonging, brotherhood, and community among dads," Ladds says.
Last fall, Ladds was in the middle of a dispute with a popular travel center and gas station chain over his club's logo. It features a character he created called Pops McBeaver.
"After launching in August 2025, we received a letter from a company called Buc-ee's claiming that they had the trademark to our logo," Ladds says.
Ladds says Buc-ee's wanted the club to stop using a beaver in their logo altogether. But the group kept going and didn't hear back from the Texas- based company again until this month.
"When we received an opposition to our trademark and, now, we are renewing the legal process with them in the hopes of a coexistence with Buc-ee's because there are certainly room for two beavers in America," Ladds says.
Ladds says he's scheduled to meet with the Texas attorneys to defend his beloved beaver next month.
"Buc-ee's is the gas station business. We're in the community-building business. Not only are our businesses completely different, but the markets do not conflict whatsoever," Ladds says.
News 12 reached out to Buc-ee's for comment, but has not heard back.
In the meantime, Ladds says he hopes the two sides can reach a friendly agreement so he can return his full focus to growing the club.
"We have had several great dads come to our organization after the launch of our first story. The hope is that this next story can bring the next wave of dads into our community," Ladds says.
