Did you know September is National Honey Month? There’s no sweeter time than during a month dedicated to honey to introduce to you Carmel Honey Company— Although you have probably already heard of them and are even familiar with their high quality products, from their delectable honey and honeycomb to their fantastic gift bundles, sweet treats (we’re looking at you honey macadamia nut caramel corn), bath and body products and some pretty cute merch. However, what you might not know is the story of how Carmel Honey Company came to be everyone’s favorite local honey shop! It is quite the story. Read on to learn more and for some exciting news.
Carmel Honey Company, the quaint yet buzzing gourmet honey store, located in Carmel Plaza was founded by Jake Reisdorf, now 21, as a River elementary school project that took off. Each student was assigned a profession to research and report their findings to the class. While researching his assigned profession of website designer, Jake, 11 years old at the time, decided to take it one step further and actually create a real website. At that time, Jake had taken one beekeeping class with his Dad and thought it would be cool to design a website about honey bees. His passion for honey bees grew and as he expanded his research and education on the topic Jake ultimately decide it was critical to give back.
“We’ve always believed that honey is more than just a sweetener; it’s a connection to nature, a reminder of the importance of bees, and a symbol of the simple pleasures in life,” said Jake.
Jake’s passions led him to not only start a website and the beginnings of a business at 11 years old but to also create the “Jake Gives Back” program where he shares his honey bee knowledge with kids and adults of all ages. Whether he is in a classroom speaking to first-grade students or at a corporate event talking with business owners and seasoned professionals, his passion and appreciation of how honey bees impact our world is infectious.
Jake and his family opened the very first Carmel Honey Company brick and mortar at Carmel Plaza in 2017 when Jake was just 14 years old. Since then Jake has expanded the retail side of his business opening Carmel Honey Company stores in Carmel Plaza, on Cannery Row, and two San Francisco locations at the Ferry Building Marketplace and Pier 39, as well as his online store. In addition to growing his honey business and sharing his knowledge and passion for honey bees, Jake graduated from Carmel High School in 2021 and is currently a student at The Monterey Peninsula College— He is one busy bee!
Carmel Honey Company recently announced a sweet milestone: the sale of their 150,000th jar of honey! To celebrate, they are inviting the community, and honey lovers from near and far, to join them in celebrating National Honey Month with exciting events and irresistible offers throughout the month of September!
There will be daily door prizes to the first 50 customers, online website specials on honey and limited edition hive products, discounts for bulk holiday corporate orders, and much more! Visit Carmel Honey Company in Carmel Plaza to join the honey celebration and you might even get a chance to meet and chat with Jake, the boy (now man) who started this sweet business at 11 years old all because of passion and good grades!