The Crossing Clarendon in Arlington has teamed up with Alvéole in an effort to facilitate a connection with nature in urban areas as well as inspire others to “bee” advocates for the pollinating world themselves.
That’s right. The rooftop of the Cheesecake Factory is now home to two Italian honeybee hives buzzing with life.
You may be thinking, Why there? Good question!
“There’s a few factors that go into choosing our hive locations,” notes Annie Eick, mid-Atlantic team manager with Alvéole. “The health of the bees is certainly top of mind, but we also take into consideration that, while we are an urban beekeeping company, we also use our hives as an educational resource, so that and safety is a factor in location as well.”
Through repurposing underutilized space on commercial properties, Alvéole is trying to create as much outreach as they can through the hives.
“At the end of the day, we’re not trying to produce a bunch of honey on your rooftop,” Eick says. “We’re trying to make people fall in love with bees.”
And not just honeybees, but all bees. Through their hive program, Alvéole offers educational events that provide people with a better understanding of honeybees and pollinators at large. Some discuss urban pollinators and how they fit into the fabric of our environment, and some talk about the dynamics of honey and how different areas will have different flowers and resources available.
“Alvéole has a great track record in immersing and engaging with their hive partners and the surrounding community,” says Greg Van Dyke, general manager for The Crossing Clarendon. “And the additional educational support that comes with a program as unique as this is an added bonus.”
Trying to pinpoint exactly how many bees there are currently at Clarendon Crossing can be tricky, says Eick.
“The population is going to change based on what is happening in the environment around you,” she explains. “For example, in early spring, bees are going to have a larger population to accommodate all of the blooming flowers that are in-season and growing.”
In the winter, however, there’s a larger spectrum based on environmental factors that can happen over that time period.
The honeybee hives in Arlington — installed back in October — are part of a turn-key beekeeping service from start to finish that has expanded to more than 20 cities.
The program includes hive management and honey jarring and labeling for the client.
“We want it to be a fun and upbeat service. And we want your hives to be both healthy and happy,” Eick says. “It’s amazing to see the amount of love that people will put into these hive projects.”
“We have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our experience so far,” Van Dyke adds. “There is so much more to these hives and how important they are for their surroundings, plants, and people alike. We look forward to another season with our beehives.”
Megan Herr is an editor and writer residing in the Shenandoah Valley. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Penn State University.
Feature image courtesy Alvéole
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