Grand Central Honey is about great taste in small batches




Local and worldwide honey products fill the shelves.

Local and worldwide honey products fill the shelves.

The best things in life may come in small packages, like artisan honey at Grand Central Honey at 4444 Tamiami Trail in North Naples. Tall arches and chandeliers distinguish the 900-square-foot store that recently opened with colorful windows of bee posters matching the business cards found at the honey-tasting bar inside.

Owner and founder Cindy McCartney greets customers and points out the Savannah Bee products boutique store-within-a-store labeled a “Queen Bee” location by the corporation.

The main store name, Grand Central Honey, is a reflection of the worldwide selection including local vendors curated by McCartney for her customers. “I lived in New York City and was always fascinated by Grand Central Terminal where travelers arrived from everywhere and departed for new destinations,” said McCartney. “The honey products arrive at Grand Central Honey and depart to everywhere.” Over 30 vendors ship from as far away as Guam and Australia.

“One thing my vendors have in common: The honey is pure with no additives, preservatives, antibiotics or thinners to make it cheaper and more profitable,” said McCartney. “Our small-batch artisan honey offerings change with the seasons. Flavors and properties vary according to the source.”

Jewelry captures the honey bee.

Jewelry captures the honey bee.

Local honeys are considered by some users a deterrent to locally triggered allergies. Honey’s health properties are historical. In fact, pure honey has no expiration date according to McCartney, who mentioned the discovery of edible honey in ancient tombs. Gift books in the boutique explain the amazing bee society and their honey’s desirability.

Products include skin softeners, lip balm and throat sprays. “I use a honey salve to stop the itching and heal bug bites,” said McCartney. Edible products include spreads, teas and even candies. Honey was the original and for centuries the only sweetener. Unlike refined sugar, honey has no negative health or environmental effects with few exceptions.

The Bee Bar offers shoppers a place to try honey samples.

The Bee Bar offers shoppers a place to try honey samples.

Unique gifts for the upcoming spring holidays and graduations are plentiful and include bee-themed earrings and dainty bracelets, bee clothing designs for babies to adults and gift sets of honeys and products to please anyone.

Mead (honey wine) making kits are a gift for the wine connoisseur. “The tasting bar provides an opportunity to compare honeys by standards similar to wine tasting. In the future, we plan to offer mead as well and a special event room,” added McCartney.

While helping a friend with marketing for a specific honey, McCartney awoke at 3 a.m. one morning and decided to open a store to sell all artisan honeys and products. She previously owned a consignment shop in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoyed a marketing career. She fell in love with the bee story and honey – “bee” careful as that love is catching.

Visit grandcentralhoney.com for more information about a bee-centric experience at the store.

Unique gifts include pet attire.

Unique gifts include pet attire.