By Christine Twining | June 2026
One of the goals I had when opening Bridge Refill Market was to thoughtfully partner with local companies that share similar values—supporting our communities, caring for the environment, and creating products with integrity. Finding the right honey supplier wasn't something I rushed. I wanted a company whose mission aligned with ours just as much as their products did.
That's exactly what I found with Bee Squared.
Many of you already know and love their award-winning raw Colorado honey, but Bee Squared is much more than delicious honey (although choosing a favorite flavor is nearly impossible!). They also work closely with beekeepers and pollinators throughout Colorado's Front Range, helping harvest, process, and bring local honey to market while supporting the health of pollinator populations.
Recently, I had the opportunity to drive up to Berthoud and spend some time at Bee Squared's headquarters. I wanted to learn more about their honey-making process, see their operation firsthand, and get to know the company's new owner, Jamie Erickson.
Jamie's story is one that feels like a natural continuation of Bee Squared's legacy. He began working alongside the original owner as a teenager and has dedicated years to learning the business from the ground up. When the founder decided it was time to retire, Jamie stepped into ownership, bringing with him a deep understanding of both the craft and the community that make Bee Squared so special.
A Conversation with Jamie Erickson
Was there a moment when you realized, “This is what I want to do long-term”?
There wasn't quite a "moment" when I realized it. It was after some extensive thinking and pondering what my life would look like taking over the business that I decided it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. I really love the industry that we're a part of and the customers we have, and that made the decision pretty clear to me. I really couldn't see myself doing anything else.
Your honey has won awards—what makes it stand out?
What makes our honey stand out is the recipes and the quality of ingredients we use. All of our infused honeys are original recipes that we've developed, and we never cheap out on the ingredients we use. We also take a lot of time experimenting with each flavor and getting everyone's opinions on them until we produce a honey that is undeniably delicious.
Pollinators & Environmental Impact
Why are pollinators so important to our food system and local ecosystems?
Pollinators are important because they help plants reproduce, which allows many fruits, vegetables, and nuts to grow. Bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators also support healthy ecosystems by helping wild plants thrive and providing food and shelter for wildlife.
What are some simple ways people can support pollinators at home?
People can help pollinators at home by planting native flowers, avoiding harmful pesticides, and creating small habitats with water and natural spaces for nesting. Even small gardens can make a big difference in protecting pollinator populations.
As someone who spends a lot of time talking about sustainability, I loved hearing this reminder. Supporting pollinators doesn't require acres of land or a large investment. Small actions at home can have a meaningful impact.
Collaboration & Community
One of the things that impressed me most during my visit was learning how Bee Squared supports other beekeepers throughout the region.
You help process honey for other businesses - what does that involve?
We are happy to offer honey processing for local beekeepers so they don't have to go and buy all of the equipment necessary to do so. Beekeepers will bring us their boxes of honey after the season is over, and we carefully extract all of the honey from them with our processing equipment. This makes it much easier on people so they don't have to purchase all of the machines themselves.
Partnerships and collaborations are something we've always enjoyed doing. It's always a win-win for both companies. It also widens both of our horizons for potential customers and is an easy way to market both ways. We love building relationships with people and developing products with local companies. It's one of my favorite things to do!
That collaborative mindset is something I deeply appreciate. Small businesses thrive when they support one another, and it's clear that relationship-building is at the heart of what Bee Squared does.
Values & Zero-Waste Alignment
As many of you know, sustainability is one of the driving principles behind Bridge Refill Market. I was curious to learn how Bee Squared approaches environmental responsibility within its own operation.
As someone supplying a refill store, how do you approach sustainability in your work?
At Bee Squared we are sustainable in every way we can be. We wash and reuse glass jars and buckets whenever we can, we use recyclable and eco-friendly packaging, we reuse beekeeping equipment as long as we possibly can and rebuild old equipment instead of buying new, we buy locally as much as we can to reduce our carbon footprint, and we avoid using harmful chemicals or pesticides on our property and beehives.
We also pay for a carbon neutral offset and donate a percentage of our sales to various nonprofits and organizations that help make the world a cleaner and healthier place to live.
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Their commitment to reducing waste and extending the life of equipment is one of the many reasons Bee Squard feels like such a natural fit at Bridge Refill Market.
Personal Favorites & Fun
What's your favorite way to enjoy honey?
My favorite way to enjoy honey is on almost everything! It can usually always replace sugar and is much healthier to do so. I use it to sweeten my coffee and yogurt every morning, create salad dressings and marinades, and replace sugar in most of our recipes when cooking and baking. Pairing it with cheese and crackers is probably one of my favorite things to do for a snack.
How You Can Support Local Beekeepers
How can customers best support local beekeepers like you?
Customers can support local beekeepers by buying local honey and bee products, learning about the importance of pollinators, and supporting businesses that use sustainable practices. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers and avoiding harmful pesticides also helps protect bee populations and supports the work of local beekeepers.
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Meeting Jamie and seeing Bee Squared's operation firsthand reinforced why I'm so proud to carry their products. Their commitment to quality, collaboration, sustainability, and pollinator education aligns beautifully with the values we strive to support at Bridge Refill Market.
The next time you're in the store, take a moment to explore our Bee Squared honey selection. Whether you're a longtime fan or trying it for the first time, you're supporting local beekeepers, healthier pollinator populations, and a Colorado business that truly cares about its impact.
And if you're like me, don't be surprised if you leave with more than one flavor.