A new one-stop shop for beekeepers and pollinator enthusiasts is coming to Irondale.

Foxhound Bee Company announced plans to expand from its current location at Hardware Park to a larger facility dedicated to education and community engagement.

Construction for the new 5,000-square-foot beekeeping store and education center at 500 16th Street N in Irondale will begin this month, with opening planned for September. The company said business will continue as usual at the company’s current Birmingham location, 424 9th Street N.

Adam Hickman, owner of Foxhound Bee Company, said in the release that he always meant the Hardware Park location to be temporary. The new Irondale space offers much-needed retail and educational space.

Hickman said city officials have been the company’s biggest supporters moving into Irondale.

“We were kind of scratching the surface. Customers come from all over the Southeast U.S. to buy beekeeping supplies because there’s not really a source for that anywhere,” said Hickman.

Hickman started the business in his garage as a hobby and grew it into a full-time operation.

“[Hardware Park] This place has really afforded me the chance to know exactly what we need, whether it’s the retail space and the warehouse and the outdoor apiary and stem classes for kids,” said Hickman.

The new facility will include an indoor classroom, and an outdoor education area designed to provide a hands-on experience learning about honey bees and pollinators. The company will host workshops, classes, and events to engage the community and foster partnerships with local beekeepers.

Hickman said his vision for the new facility emphasizes the importance of making it a destination not just for beekeepers but also for the public.

“Graduating from Hardware Park is not just a milestone—it’s a testament to our team at Foxhound and our supportive beekeeping community. Our new location will allow us to expand our services, host more hands-on classes, and share our love for pollinators with a larger audience,” he said in the release.

Foxhound Bee Company is a full-service beekeeping supply company based in Birmingham. Its beekeeping supplies are made from Cypress wood and are designed for long-lasting use.