Exploring Chatt interview with Cath from Bees on a Bicycle
The article written below can be found here with incredible photographs. Thank you, Amanda, for all you do to support Chattanooga!
What’s better than a local, Chattanooga garden center? The answer is, one that focuses on the community and the environment at the same time. And Bees on a Bicycle is just that. Continue reading to learn more about this unique haven in downtown Chattanooga and what makes it so special.
What is Bees on a Bicycle? Bees on a Bicycle is a local garden center in downtown Chattanooga. It’s the creation of Cath Shaw Truelove who has always loved gardening. She has previous experience working at a large garden center and there were things about that experience she didn’t like. Most places value their profit more than the well-being of the customers and the environment. So, Cath set out to change that by opening Bees on a Bicycle. Over the years, the business evolves to take better care of the environment and the people in the Chattanooga community. Cath would rather set you up for success than sell you a plant that is expected to die in a few months. That’s what sets Bees on a Bicycle apart. Their mission statement is “Foster Community, Create Beauty” and they strive to live that motto every day.
Bees on a Bicycle promotes regenerative gardening. That is, gardening in a way that is beneficial for both us and nature. This practice focuses in nourishing the soil and plants organically without the need for harmful chemicals. When done properly, this natural approach to gardening makes the ground, animals, water, and in turn us, happier and healthier.
Fun with Plants and Gardening Education When you visit Bees on a Bicycle you can always ask questions. Cath and her staff are always ready to help you with any gardening problems you face. In addition to this, they are always hosting fun events and educational activities.
Bars Bars are like a build-your-own garden pot setup. Bees on a Bicycle usually runs a theme for a month at a time to inspire your creation, but the potting station is always open for whatever plant combos you want to design. Bars encourage you to get involved creating the type of garden you want.
Workshops Workshops are specially planned events that require the purchase of a ticket beforehand. Check out their events page to secure your spot in the next workshop. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date with the latest workshops. These workshops provide you with everything you need to create the project at hand. Along the way you’ll receive the education you need to have a successful end result to take home and care for.
Special Events Bars and workshops aren’t the only events hosted by Bees on a Bicycle. Throughout the year they have other fun events planned as well. For example, coming up soon is the annual Bees on a Bicycle birthday party June 25th. This celebration brings the community together for mimosas, dancing, and more. Other Chattanooga businesses also participate in these special events which makes the community bond even stronger.
Helping the Chattanooga Community Cath is not only passionate about plants, but about her local community as well. She will find ways to support Chattanooga however she can. She created the “Bees Spot of Sunshine Award” to highlight those in the community that work hard and do the right thing. Recently, a man here in Chattanooga made national news for his honesty in helping out a gas station owner. The gas station was undercharging for their gas by a lot. This man noticed the error and reported it to the owner. Cath heard about this story on the news and knew that he deserved to be recognized and encouraged for doing the right thing when no one else would. She granted him and the gas station owner the “Bees Spot of Sunshine Award”, which includes a gift box of plants, as a way to thank him for doing his part in supporting the Chattanooga community. Looking out for the interests of others ahead of your own is well-deserving of recognition. This is why Cath chooses to encourage locals to be the best they can be and help the community of Chattanooga be a wonderful place to live.
Why you Need to Visit Bees on a Bicycle If you usually buy plants every year for your garden and spend hundreds of dollars doing so, stop. Bees on a Bicycle offers perennials which last years instead of seasonal annuals. You’ll end up saving money in the long run and they’re healthier too. Bees on a Bicycle sells organic pesticides and biodegradable pots so you don’t have to worry about nasty chemicals and plastic waste that most other stores sell.
Be sure to stop in every onPce in a while to see what’s new. Plant varieties offered here are always changing so it’s like a new store every time you visit. There’s so much to choose from including succulents and tropical plants and everything in between. You might even find something you’ve never seen before. Bees on a Bicycle is proud to offer rare finds as well as locally sourced plants. Plants native to Tennessee are easy to sustain here in Chattanooga because it’s where they’re from.
And if gardening is not your thing, still stop by just to say hello. Bees on a Bicycle is here for the community as a whole. You don’t have to buy a plant or a pot every time you visit. Feel free just to enjoy the space full of greenery and enjoy this oasis in Chattanooga. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something you can’t resist going home without. You can be confident in your purchase with the plant advice Cath can offer you.
Plan for Your Visit Bees on a bicycle has seasonal hours that fluctuate. Be sure to check out their website or Instagram page for the latest hours of availability. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so that they can complete housekeeping projects and behind the scenes business work.
The location of Bees on a Bicycle is downtown on Market Street, in the Southside. There’s free parking inside the small lot or along Emerson Street beside the shop. Another option is the parking lot of Cornerstone Church on 19th and Long Street who have kindly agreed to give free parking for customers.
Closing Thoughts To learn more about Cath and Bees on a Bicycle, listen to the Behind the Business Podcast episode. You’ll find a short podcast trailer on YouTube if you want to get some video visuals of the shop too.
Even though I am not a gardener, I appreciate Bees on a Bicycle. The space is very peaceful and lively at the same time. There’s something about being amongst plants that rejuvenates you. (Did you know there’s a science behind that? Listen to the podcast to learn more about it.)