LITTLE BEEHIVE CO-OP – UNIQUE AND LOCAL
From humble beginnings, Little Beehive Co-Op was founded in 2014 by two Nelson creatives, Paula Ossevoort & Rachael Brown. Both looking to connect & collaborate with other artists and have a place to showcase their work. The idea was sparked, the perfect building was found, they had a bunch of local talent and within weeks the doors were open to the public.
When they opened the doors in 2014, they had a small 4m sq shop space, two rooms with six workstations & a hallway space for exhibitions as well as an area to run workshops. Over the years they evolved, members came & went, and the shop took off to be a great success. The beer crates were slowly replaced with proper shop fittings and eventually they took out two walls to more than double the shop space.
After four and a half years in their Hardy Street premises, they felt like a fresh start and had the opportunity to relocate to another great building. This was the perfect time to re-think their look & layout, so with a new logo and fresh look, they moved to 123 Bridge Street, their new home.
The new space has loads of personality and lends itself perfectly for inspired browsing. The giant timber beams you see when you walk inside come from an old Bridge that was in Hokitika adding to the rustic feel.
The original concept of Little Beehive was based around shared workspaces, with a very small retail area while resident artists took turns running the shop. There are currently fourteen members who share shop responsibilities & overheads. In return the members keep 100% of their profits.
So, every time you make a purchase from a member an actual person does a little happy dance. Paula says, “There’s currently a trend where locals are wanting to support locally made products. To buy a gift for your loved one or home that has been locally handcrafted evokes quite a special feeling – as opposed to a mass-produced item, it’s just not the same. The slower-paced lifestyle here in Nelson is well suited to the arts and creatives produce clever and top-quality work which we proudly showcase.”
Paula grew up in Tauranga and discovered sunny Nelson 18 years ago after she came down for a fruit picking season and ever since happily calls it home. She previously studied as a chef and did a stint as a baker at Awaroa Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park.
Her passion for making clothing started back when she was just 16 years old, where she naturally started selling her clothing creations. Her creations are on display at the shop. Collaboration is key to making things happen. Connections built from the Little Beehive network have resulted in Paula being one of the organisers for the popular Great Christmas Market for the past 9 years. You’ll find unique, handmade gifts for all your loved ones this Christmas.
There will be plenty of top-quality food options to entice the taste buds whilst shopping. If you fancy taking your time you could pack your own picnic or sit and relax at the infamous Cafe and Brewery. We will have visiting buskers & choirs throughout the day to add to the atmosphere. It’s on at Founders Heritage Park in Nelson on Sunday November 21st, 2021.
Website: https://littlebeehive.shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebeehive123
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebeehivecoop/
Enjoy shopping at Little Beehive Co-op and receive an exclusive 10% discount when purchasing online. Use promo code UN25. Apply code at checkout.
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Explore the virtual tour at Little Beehive Co-Op, 123 Bridge Street, Nelson
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