A chain in Boston who sell grilled cheese sandwiches has chosen Worcester as its first brick-and-mortar location. They opened their store in the Worcester Public Market, and so far, it’s been a huge hit. Ryan Margulis, the CEO of the company, has said that all of their grilled cheese sandwiches are made with a single, special ingredient. Honey forms the base of everything they do, with the classic being a sandwich made with American cheese and wildflower honey. Part of the sales proceeds will go towards building bee sanctuaries.
The Global Honey Market is Thriving
Right now, the global honey market is being driven by numerous factors. The market is said to grow at a CAGR of 5.3%, hitting 7.2% by 2034. Hot honey is now a staple in retail menus, as well. One interesting trend that is driving honey consumption would be its popularity in modern media. Documentaries about honey and bees help to explore their key role in producing honey, as well as the dangers they face.
Movies include Honeyland, which was Oscar-nominated. More than Honey and Secrets of the Bees are also popular. A classic Sky title, Beehive Bedlam ran for 15 years and put a spotlight on hives, but in a fun and entertaining format. Slingo games have also put a spotlight on bees, with an example being Slingo Honey Crew. By focusing on bees and honey, examples like this have not only helped to raise awareness of the integral role bees have to play, but also how important it is to protect them moving forward.
View this post on Instagram
The Company is Focusing on Fundraising Efforts
Bees & Thank You are putting the work in to try to raise money for different bee sanctuaries. It’s their aim to raise enough capital so they can open up an organic bee sanctuary every 500 miles in the U.S. By opening sanctuaries, the company hopes that they can combat the need to ship honeybees, which will not only reduce pollution but also introduce the systemic change that is required to keep these animals thriving. With the opening of their Worcester store, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them put a big focus on supporting UK bees as well, given how essential they are to British wildlife.
Some of the menu items they have available at the Worcester store include The Classic, as well as The Fire, which is made using authentic honey. There’s The Vegan and The Sweet, meaning there’s something for everyone who visits. By keeping the menu small, and by also covering their bases by introducing options for those who may have specific dietary requirements, it’s possible to not only further their mission, but also provide a staple food establishment in Worcester’s bustling city centre.
As the centre hosts numerous high-street brands, there’s certainly a lot of foot traffic. The thriving food scene also contributes a lot to the economy as well, and with Bees & Thank You providing food options the city centre hasn’t seen before, it’s an available addition that locals really appreciate.
Article by Ben Spencer.
