What's the Buzz?

History

Beehive Co-op opened in Atlanta in 2004 to rave reviews. Atlanta Magazine reported, "It's a simple concept, brilliantly executed: Gather the cream of Atlanta's artisan crop and rent them booths in a former gallery space for a small fee plus four hours of work in the store per week. The result? A well-edited collection of affordable, locally produced goods in an atmosphere with the thrill of a bazaar but the tidy merchandising and "cool quotient" of your favorite boutique".

  Opening Party 2004

Beehive was conceived by Petra Geiger, a graphic designer by training who struggled to find an appropriate outlet for her handmade handbags and stationery line. After meeting many other local artisans in the same predicament, and with the image of antique malls swirling in her mind, Petra sensed that setting up a co-op of dedicated designers was a perfect solution for both the designers and for customers seeking one-of-a-kind items. "I started Beehive because I saw a need for a new entrepreneurial model, one rooted in community and collaboration," says Petra. "I also felt a real desire among people I talked to for an alternative to the prevailing mall culture."

The concept has been incredibly well received both locally in the Atlanta market and nationally. Beehive Co-op Atlanta has been covered in such national magazines as Metropolis, Home Magazine, Lucky Magazine, ReadyMade and Fortune Small Business. The desire to expand the business and truly provide emerging designers with an entire network of opportunity around the country led Petra to develop a franchise offering in 2007.

In December of 2007, Petra relocated to New York to work on expanding Beehive and launched Beehive Co-op Mt. Kisco in a suburb of NYC in September 2008. This location, although a smaller footprint, has equally become a community leader for independent designers in the region.

In addition, Beehive's online store, www.beehiveShop.com, is giving emerging designers - and the shoppers who crave their handcrafted, unique designs - a dynamic online boutique for their products. BeehiveShop.com features a careful selection of the most exceptional in independent design chosen to participate in the online community. Designers are given the autonomy to market, brand and merchandise their products on www.beehiveShop.com, and unlike many artisan based shopping sites the site is thoughtfully curated to showcase professional designers who are not yet established but have achieved a level of advanced technique.