Carey Marago never expected her fascination with beekeeping to turn into a career, but it was obviously meant to bee. Four years ago she opened her store, From the Hive, on Division Street in Somerville. Aptly named, every item for sale in the store is made with an ingredient that comes from a hive.
On a Sunday afternoon, Carey greets customers with a friendly smile. Her love of the subject is evident as she gladly answers customers’ questions about her products and the world of bees. Carey herself is the beekeeper behind all of the store’s merchandise.
“I’ve always been very drawn to beekeeping, even as a kid,” says Carey.
About ten years ago Carey decided to indulge her fascination and she was ready to give beekeeping a try. Today she has ten hives that live on several different properties. Carey started off selling honey at flea markets, craft shows and even from her front porch. Eventually, the demand became too great for her to keep up with, and she opened her storefront in 2015.
Family support, a routine, and a gift for time management—which some say is her superpower—contribute to Carey’s graceful balance of both work and family life. Beekeeper and entrepreneur are just some of the hats she wears; in addition, Carey is raising four daughters and also works full-time as a special education assistant at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
Carey explains, “Almost every product we offer you can open and smell. You can also try the honey. People like to come into the store for the sensory experience.”
A sampling station allows customers to try several varieties of locally harvested honey including Clover, Wildflower, and Buckwheat.
“I always want people to have a great experience when they walk in the store. I also want them to get an education,” says Carey.
The benefits of local honey, often sought for allergy relief, is one topic she is happy to discuss.
Carey explains, “When the bees bring back nectar into the hive, they’re also covered in pollen. When they come into the hive, that pollen comes off of them and falls into the cells where the honey is. When you ingest it, it’s like a vaccination. Your body is introduced to it in very small amounts and learns to defend against it.”
Carey advocates for the often misunderstood honeybee and their vital role in the environment. Almonds, apples, and cucumbers are just a few of the foods that depend on pollination to grow. Pollution and development threaten the health of our honeybee population by making it more difficult for them to find food.
There are simple actions anyone can take to protect honeybees, such as avoiding weed killers and other chemicals. Carey wants people to understand that honeybees need not be feared. When someone is stung, it is usually by a wasp type insect. In spite of their stripes, yellow jackets are actually wasps, not bees. Wasps are attracted to our food and drinks, whereas honeybees are not.
“Honeybees are not aggressive,” says Carey. “That’s not in their nature.”
White clover and daffodils are important staples in the honeybee diet. Planting wildflowers and leaving a section of the yard unmanicured or providing a shallow dish with pebbles and water provide a helpful habitat for honeybees to thrive.
Carey is happy to teach you more about bees and honey, just stop by the store to see what all the buzz is about. Learn more at Fromthehivenj.com
Clover Honey
This honey is light and sweet, perfect for baking, tea or straight off the spoon.
Custom Favors
Carey can replicate creative designs found online to customize favors for any occasion.
Beeswax Candles
Jar candles are made with beeswax, cotton wicks and scented with essential oils in a variety of fragrances.
Beeswax Wraps
Keep leftovers fresh with this alternative to plastic wrap, made with fabric coated in beeswax and pine resin.
