About HoneySmith
Two friends and a handful of hives in the early days. Now, Honeysmith is the place where people ask, “What will they do next?” Our goal was never just to bring a business to the community, but to bring the community together through the love of nature, events, and education.
How we got here
A note from Chase.
The story of Honeysmith Bees & Gardens — Ryan Smith and Chase Mason. Business partners on paper, friends long before that.
We met years ago in the Secret Service, where we spent over a decade as firearms instructors — traveling, training, and teaching others at the highest level. Eventually, that chapter gave way to something completely different: honeybees, plants, mulch, hydroponic lettuce, and a community-centered garden center on Generals Highway.
Ryan has been the “bee guru” for even longer than I’ve known him — he started with a handful of hives and a growing curiosity. Years later, while we were working together, he talked my ear off and educated me about bees; I was fascinated. With my business background from other endeavors, we collaborated to grow something out of our excitement and his passion for bees. From there, it slowly turned into something bigger and Honeysmith began taking shape piece by piece. For several years, it was simply HoneySmith Bees: queens, honey, hive equipment, and word-of-mouth through the local beekeeping community.
When the opportunity arose to purchase a local garden center that also included a small bee operation, we took the leap. They had years of loyal customers and the storefront infrastructure, and we brought the Honeysmith vibe and culture with us. That’s when “and Gardens” was added to the name, the bees finally had a home base, and Honeysmith began evolving into something much larger than either of us originally imagined.
There was never one big breakthrough moment. No investor. No overnight success story. Just steady growth, long days, loyal customers, and the belief that if we kept showing up and improving each season, people would notice. Eventually, they did.
Why HoneySmith
Part of the name comes from Ryan’s last name, Smith. The other part came from the way we viewed the work itself.
Beekeeping has always felt more like a craft than a business. There’s a rhythm to it — working with the seasons, managing colonies, harvesting honey, pouring candles, raising queens, and creating products rooted in something real. Like a blacksmith shaping raw material into something useful, the idea of a “HoneySmith” simply stuck.
Simple enough.
Where we are today
Today, Honeysmith has grown into a working garden center, local market, apiary, and gathering place all rolled into one property.
The garden center is what most people see first — native plants, perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, bulk mulch, seasonal color, and staff who genuinely enjoy helping this community’s residents.
Inside the Honeysmith Market, things shift as people find a few unexpected items: honey, hand-poured beeswax candles, Body Velvet moisturizers, fresh produce, hydroponic lettuce, gifts, pantry goods, and seasonal favorites fill the shelves throughout the year.
The beekeeping side continues to grow alongside it all — queens, nucs, honey production, and educational experiences that connect people to a world most never get to see up close.
At night, the hydroponic garden glows red and blue behind the property. During the holidays, the lot fills with Christmas trees and wreaths. In the fall, pumpkins and mums take over the honeycomb-shaped benches. A few weekends each year, the garden center transforms into haunted trails, Easter egg hunts, Santa visits, workshops, pop-ups, and community traditions people come back for season after season.
What we believe
We believe the best businesses still feel personal. A place where people are approachable, answer your questions honestly, and make you feel welcomed.
We believe in products connected to our core concept: Nature — healthy plants, raw honey, hand-poured beeswax candles, fresh greens, and intentionally made items.
We believe experiences matter just as much as products. Sometimes people come for one thing but leave remembering the haunted trail, roasted nuts, or their kid handing them a freshly painted flower pot.
We believe strong, steady growth means more than fast growth. Our only real competitor is who we were yesterday. We don’t compare ourselves to others in this industry. Our goal at Honeysmith is simply to be a little better today than we were the day before.
We believe businesses can serve a bigger purpose too. Our goal was never simply to bring another business to the community, but to help bring the community together through our business practices.
Come see for yourself
We hope you feel it the moment you pull into the lot — that this place was built by real people who genuinely care about the work, the seasons, and the community around them. Slow down a little while you’re here. Talk with our team. Wander longer than you planned. BEE sure to come back in a different season and see how the property changes with it. We can’t wait to serve you!
— Chase & Ryan