The Buzz On Honey Lake Bee Company: 5 Sweet Secrets Of The Thomsons' New 'Bee Experience' Facility
The Honey Lake Bee Company is undergoing its most significant transformation yet, promising a massive expansion that will change how consumers interact with local, raw honey. As of late 2025, the company is actively working on its first-ever brick-and-mortar retail store and an immersive "Bee Experience" center in Lake Barrington, Illinois, marking a monumental shift from their long-standing online and farmers market presence. This development is the newest chapter in the story of beekeepers Karen and Brian Thomson, whose dedication to sustainable, pure products has built a loyal following across the Midwest and beyond.
The decision to take a year off from their annual honey harvest in 2024 to focus entirely on the new facility underscores the scale of this project, which aims to bring the entire lifecycle of local beekeeping directly to the public. This article dives deep into the founders' journey, their commitment to ethical beekeeping, and the exclusive, natural products that have earned them hundreds of five-star reviews, providing the freshest look at what's next for this celebrated Illinois bee company.
The Founders: Karen and Brian Thomson Biography and Beekeeping Philosophy
The foundation of the Honey Lake Bee Company is built on the expertise and shared passion of its founders, Karen and Brian Thomson. Their professional background is deeply rooted in the natural world, providing a clear vision for their ethical beekeeping practices.
- Names: Karen Thomson and Brian Thomson
- Education: Both are graduates of Iowa State University (ISU).
- Degrees: Both hold degrees in Horticulture.
- Home Base: North Barrington, Illinois, where they have been residents for 20 to 30 years.
- Current Operations: They manage over 140 beehives, ensuring a robust, locally-sourced supply of honey and bee products.
- Core Mission: To produce pure, natural, and local bee-based products while practicing sustainable local sourcing and sharing their knowledge by teaching the craft of beekeeping.
The Thomsons’ horticulture backgrounds from Iowa State University give them a unique advantage, allowing them to understand the complex relationship between local flora and bee health. This expertise translates into a commitment to sustainable beekeeping practices, where the health of the bee colony always takes precedence.
Their philosophy centers on "sustainable local sourcing," meaning their raw, natural honey is sourced exclusively from their beehives located in the Barrington, Illinois, area. This local focus ensures a distinctive flavor profile unique to the Honey Lake Valley region and the specific seasonal blooms of the area.
5 Sweet Secrets: What to Expect from the New Lake Barrington Bee Experience
The most significant and current news surrounding the Honey Lake Bee Company is the development of their new facility in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This is not just a warehouse; it is designed to be an immersive destination that brings the world of the honeybee to life.
1. The First Brick-and-Mortar Retail Store
For years, customers have had to rely on online ordering, farmers markets, and select local retailers like Ambrosia in Barrington to purchase their favorite products. The new facility will house the company's first permanent retail storefront, providing a dedicated space where customers can browse the full range of products, from seasonal honeys to specialized beeswax items.
2. The Immersive 'Bee Experience' Center
The planned "Bee Experience" is the centerpiece of the new facility, answering the public's growing curiosity about beekeeping. This educational center will likely feature observation hives, interactive displays, and perhaps even workshops taught by Brian and Karen Thomson themselves, who are known to share their beekeeping knowledge. This initiative will solidify Honey Lake Bee Company's role as a regional leader in beekeeping education and advocacy.
3. A Dedicated Production and Processing Facility
The new Lake Barrington location will serve as a centralized hub for all operations, including harvesting, processing, and packaging. This consolidation will allow the Thomsons to maintain their rigorous standards for purity and quality, ensuring that every jar of raw honey and every beeswax candle is crafted with the same attention to detail that has earned them a reputation for excellence.
4. The Return of the Annual Honey Harvest
Due to the intensive focus on developing the new facility, the company took a year off from its annual honey harvest in 2024. The opening of the new location is expected to coincide with the revitalization of the annual harvest, promising customers a fresh and abundant supply of their highly anticipated seasonal honeys, including Summer, Goldenrod, and Fall varieties, which are known to have distinct colors and flavors.
5. A Hub for Local, Natural, and Pure Products
The facility will be a testament to the company's commitment to "made by the bees" products. It will be the primary source for their entire natural product line, including raw, unfiltered honey, 100% pure beeswax candles, and their various specialty items. This ensures a direct link between the local hives and the consumer, reinforcing the company's promise of purity and natural quality.
The Essential Honey Lake Bee Company Product Line
The company’s product line is a testament to the versatility and natural benefits of the hive. Every item is pure, natural, and made by the Thomsons, utilizing honey and wax exclusively from their own 140+ hives. They have successfully built topical authority by focusing on quality over quantity, offering a curated selection of bee-centric goods.
Raw Honey: The Local Health Powerhouse
Honey Lake Bee Company specializes in local, raw, and natural honey, which is far superior to the processed honey found in most supermarkets. Raw honey is a powerful source of antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, which help protect the body from free radical damage. Furthermore, local, unfiltered honey is often sought after for its potential health benefits, including supporting digestion, balancing blood sugar, soothing a cough, and even helping with seasonal allergies due to the trace amounts of local pollen it contains.
The company offers a range of honey types, reflecting the distinct seasonal blooms of the Illinois ecosystem:
- Summer Honey: Typically lighter in color and flavor, reflecting the early-season flowers.
- Goldenrod Honey: A specific varietal with a more robust, sometimes darker, flavor profile.
- Fall Honey: Often the darkest and richest, with a strong, complex flavor.
- Creamed Honey: A whipped, crystallized honey with a smooth, spreadable texture.
- Honeycomb: Honey in its most natural, edible state, contained within the beeswax cells.
Beeswax Products: Purity and Natural Utility
Beyond honey, the company is highly regarded for its 100% pure beeswax products, which have garnered hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers. Beeswax is a natural, non-toxic substance valued for its clean burn and natural properties.
- 100% Pure Beeswax Candles: These are a core product, known for their natural, subtle scent and long, clean burn.
- Food Saver Wraps: An eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap, utilizing the natural preserving properties of beeswax.
- Lip Balm: Harnessing beeswax's moisturizing and protective qualities for personal care.
- Bee Pollen: A superfood collected by the bees, valued for its high nutritional content and potential immune-boosting properties.
The expansion into the Lake Barrington facility is set to dramatically increase the visibility and availability of these pure, natural products, making the Honey Lake Bee Company a must-visit destination for anyone interested in supporting sustainable beekeeping and enjoying the finest natural goods the hive has to offer.
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