Opening of Foxhound Bee Company in Irondale [City of Irondale] — The grand opening of Foxhound Bee Company in Irondale will be an all-day affair this weekend! (City of Irondale)

Looking for something to do this weekend? You should bee prepared for this exciting event coming up in Irondale.

Foxhound Bee Company is hosting their grand opening this Saturday, Nov. 22, celebrating their brand new home after about eight months of construction.

This won’t be just any grand opening celebration, though. Attendees can look forward to all sorts of free and discounted activities:

Wax dipping station
Honey tasting booth
Live observation hive
Kids’ “Color a Hexagon” wall
Pollinator garden and plant sale
Raffle benefitting Hives for Heroes
Merch and apparel specials
Tours of the new space
Ask-a-beekeeper sessions

No matter how old or young, there will be something for everyone at Foxhound.

“On this day, we’re celebrating not just a new location, but the people who helped us get here: beekeepers, friends, family, customers, and supporters who believe in bees, community, and craftsmanship.”
Foxhound Bee Company on Facebook

You can find the new Foxhound Bee Company building at aptly-named 300 Honey Lane in Irondale — which was referred to as 500 16th Street North at the start of the project.

Read on to learn more about the company’s beginnings and the new facility.

About Foxhound Bee Company

owner bee company — Foxhound Bee Company’s founder Adam Hickman. (Foxhound Bee Company)

Foxhound is owned by Adam Hickman, who first got interested in beekeeping with one hive in 2012.

The company was started in 2014 with just $200 as a “side hustle” for Adam and his wife, Stephanie, to pay off student loans, the Foxhound Bee Company website says. Adam would drive to beekeeping conferences, stand in the parking lot and try to sell bee supplies to attendees.

Now, that side hustle has developed into a full-service beekeeping supply company, particularly those made out of cypress. Foxhound also sells high quality tools, beekeeping suits, feeders and other necessary equipment.

But its physical products are not where Foxhound’s services end.

“Besides selling beekeeping supplies, we also believe in teaching good beekeeping and educating the public about how great honey bees are. Our owner is an EAS Certified Master Beekeeper and thus education is central to Foxhound Bee Company.”
Foxhound Bee Company website

Building a new hive with room to grow

Close-up of two frames of a beehive during beehive installation by Foxhound Bee Company near UAB Gardens, April 2021. (UAB Sustainability)

Up until now, Foxhound has operated out of Birmingham’s Hardware Park at 424 9th Street North, but as the business has grown, so has its need for space.

The beekeeping company broke ground on the 5,000-square-foot education center and storefront in February this year.

“Our time at Hardware Park provided the necessary step to move between a garage business and this new beekeeping and education center. We couldn’t have taken this step without the resources Hardware Park provided.

“Graduating from Hardware Park is not just a milestone—it’s a testament to our team at Foxhound and our supportive beekeeping community. Our new location will allow us to expand our services, host more hands-on classes, and share our love for pollinators with a larger audience.”
Adam Hickman, Founder of Foxhound Bee Company to Bham Now in February

The new space “combines affordability with a bold vision,” according to Foxhound. Design details reflect the company’s “commitment to beekeepers and pollinator enthusiasts.”

Exterior render 6 7 Photo Sample honey, learn about bees + tour new Foxhound Bee Co. building at Irondale grand opening — Aerial rendering of the Foxhound Bee Company campus (Mitchell Marshall)

Outside, there is a bee swarm mural created by Fitz Signs on the corner of the building. An outdoor space gives visitors a place to take a break and see pollinators in action. It also serves as a teaching space for both kids and adults.

The bulk of the 5,000-square-foot interior is dedicated to shopping Foxhound’s products. Furthering its commitment to education, there is a 30-person classroom designed to facilitate interactive STEM classes, the company said.

An indoor observation hive allows visitors to comfortably see honeybees at work.

A stainless steel room will give visitors the opportunity to see and participate in honey extraction and beeswax candle creation.

It sits on 1.6 acres of land near the newly upgraded Ruffner Park.

Attend the grand opening

bee company — Rendering of the Foxhound Bee Company in Irondale. (Mitchell Marshall)

When: Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9AM-4PM
Where: 300 Honey Lane in Irondale
Cost: FREE to attend, but some activities have a fee. Products will be available for purchase. Free snacks available throughout, and lunch provided from 11:30AM-1PM.

For a full schedule of events, visit the Facebook event listing. The ribbon cutting with Irondale Mayor James Douglas Stewart, Jr. will take place at 11AM.

Can’t make it? Foxhound is ensuring that nobody misses the excitement — check out their livestream on YouTube, which will start during the event.