BEST LOCAL GIFT STORE
CAPITAL BEE COMPANY
It’s safe to say Capital Bee Company on East Broughton Street is buzzing with excitement after winning the Best Gift Shop in Connect Savannah’s 2023 Best of Savannah voting.
Capital Bee Company Honey Boutique co-founders Kristen Harkleroad and Thomas Hinely, are thrilled and honored to receive this recognition for the third year in a row.
“We are very excited and grateful,” said Harkleroad. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the support of our loyal customers.”
Capital Bee Company, a successful honey company, established its store front in 2017 with a couple of goals in mind—support local and provide a great selection of gifts for Savannah shoppers.
The local store features a wide variety of unique gifts with a Coastal Empire flair and is always a hive of activity, attracting tourists and locals alike, who come for the fabulous gifts, honey and artwork.
The charming store features bright and exciting items from floor to ceiling, with more than 45 local Savannah-based companies, along with countless other interesting products from across the country.
They offer a plethora of items, including jewelry, candles, gourmet foods, bath and body, kitchen and barware, gift sets and one-of-a-kind paintings by local artists, as well as lots and lots of bee and honey-related products. Plus, a selection of seasonal decor and memorable Savannah items.
“We put a lot of thought and care into selecting unique items that you can’t find anywhere else. And we love switching things up with the seasons. As I select each item for the store, it reminds me so much of my Mema. She was the ultimate gift giver—putting thought and consideration into every gift she gave. She even had a gift room, so I come by it naturally. We hope there’s always something new and exciting to discover here!” said Harkleroad.
Plus, they have the sweetest bar in town, featuring 21 unique varieties of American, raw, hand-poured honeys. The honey selection ranges from traditional wildflower to exotic types like snowberry and raspberry, and you can’t forget the crowd favorites: frosted cinnamon and tupelo. The honey bar is a stop on one of Savannah’s famous food tours. A highlight of the tour, visitors rave about the variety of honey flavors and the opportunity to taste as many as they want.
“We love being a part of Savannah’s vibrant food scene,” said Hinely. “It’s exciting to see so many people interested in honey and learning about the importance of bees.”
Capital Bee Company was founded right here in Savannah by Hinely. A graduate of Calvary Day School, he decided to follow his dreams of starting a honey company.
Along with the support of his family and Kristen, his director of operations, Capital Bee Company is now a thriving wholesale business along with its local storefront.
“We love bringing our one-of-a-kind honey tasting experience to customers as they peruse the store. It’s fun to educate customers about pairings for the honey, recipes and sharing our favorites with them,” said Hinely.
It’s clear they take pride in their thoughtfully curated collection of gifts, fantastic honeys and providing the ultimate local experience.
“We love being a go-to spot for gift buying in Savannah,” said Harkleroad. “We couldn’t do it without our amazing team, especially Kelly Hamilton. She truly is the glue that holds us together. We all enjoy chatting with customers, learning where they’re from and helping them find the perfect gift whether they’re taking it home as a souvenir for loved ones or bringing it to a party as a hostess gift.”
Whether you’re a local looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or a visitor exploring Savannah’s food and culture scene, Capital Bee Company is a must-visit destination.
This article appears in 2023 Best of Savannah Issue.