This transition is emotional for all of us—especially our incredible team. We’ve built a family here, and while we’re doing our best to make this goodbye meaningful, it’s difficult to say farewell.
We kindly ask that ALL questions or concerns be directed to owners (Alicia & Matthew) rather than our staff, who are also processing this change.
Alicia & Matthew are here to answer anything you need with honesty and gratitude. Your kindness and positivity mean the world to us and make this process a little easier for everyone.
Why is Bee Savvy Fine Foods closing?
Running a small food business has become increasingly challenging due to rising costs, slim margins, and the unpredictability that comes with perishable goods. We’ve always prioritized offering you the best quality without compromise, and while it’s been a labor of love, the financial strain has become more than we can sustain.
When is the last day you’ll be open?
While we don’t have a finalized closing date, we are currently planning to wrap things up by the end of February. However, this may be extended as we work to find the right tenant to rent our beautiful space. If you or someone you know is looking for a space, we’d love to hear from you! In the meantime, we’d be delighted to welcome you into the store to share memories and warm goodbyes. Your support during this transition means the world to us.
Will there be any final events or classes?
Yes! We’ve added several classes for all ages, including cocktail classes and family-friendly culinary experiences. Check out our Culinary Experiences for upcoming dates—we’d love to cook with you one last time.
What happens to outstanding gift cards or store credits?
We’ll continue to restock our shelves to ensure you have time to use your gift cards. After we close, our online store will remain open, allowing you to continue enjoying our honey and body care products.
Will your popular products still be available locally?
Yes! We’re working with our favourite downtown retailers to find homes for our best-selling products and introducing our makers to them so you can still enjoy your favorite kombucha, chèvre, olive oils, and more. (Trust us—we need to make sure we can still get them too!) We’ll share updates as we confirm where you’ll be able to find these items.
Will your honey and body care products still be available?
Yes! Our Bee Savvy honey and body care products will continue to be available online and through select local retailers. We’re committed to keeping these items accessible for our loyal customers.
Where can we find Alicia and Matt after Bee Savvy closes?
We love this town and can’t imagine not being part of its downtown hub. You’ll still see us at Steelheads & Strikes, working hard to turn it into the most fun activity centre in town. And in all honesty, with just one shopfront to operate, you'll probably see us out actually enjoying everything downtown Arnprior has to offer more often!
Alicia is actively seeking employment to help support our family and complement our other small business, Steelheads & Strikes. If you know of any opportunities, she would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
How can we support you during this time?
We encourage you to shop local and continue supporting the amazing businesses that make our town so special. Every small business thrives because of people who make the difficult choice to spend more for quality, locally made goods and services, rather than just ordering the next knick-knack online.
If you have favorite small businesses, do not take them for granted. Every single one of them is feeling the strain as the majority of consumer dollars are being sent directly to massive foreign corporations, bypassing our local economy entirely.
What will happen to your cooking classes and events after you close?
While we’ve loved hosting these classes and connecting with you through food, we’ve decided to step back from offering them ourselves. We know there are some incredible chefs and instructors in our community, and we hope someone steps up to fill that role. We’re excited to support and attend future local events, and we encourage you to do the same—there’s so much talent in this town! Stay tuned, as we’ll continue sharing updates and recommendations for great food experiences nearby.
Will your equipment and fixtures be available for sale?
Yes. Most of our equipment, shelving fixtures, and other store essentials will be available for sale. Items include custom wooden shelving, the cash desk, commercial display fridges, an undercounter fridge, CombiOven, Garland Oven, commercial dishwasher, back-of-house storage shelves, vacuum sealer, milkshake maker, and much, much more.
We will even accept Bee Savvy Fine Foods gift certificates towards these items. Reach out directly to Alicia Ott to coordinate a viewing.
What type of tenant are you looking for?
We’re seeking a tenant who will cherish this space and contribute positively to our community. Whether it’s another food business, a boutique, or something entirely unique, we want the space to continue being a gathering place that adds value to our downtown.
The kitchen is fully equipped, and most equipment will be available for sale, making it an ideal move-in ready option for a food business. Want more details on the space?
- Jeannie Ivory: JeannieIvory@royallepage.ca | 613-620-2690
- Clint Pettigrew: ClintPettigrew@royallepage.ca | 613-614-4740
Can we still keep in touch?
Absolutely! We’d love to stay connected. Keep an eye on our social media for updates, announcements, and plenty of memories. And, of course, feel free to reach out anytime—you’ll always be part of our Bee Savvy family.