Bees on a Bicycle

Location :

ABOUT: Bees is an oasis in the middle of the city where you can hear water splashing, get sage advice, and find great gifts for loved ones. Unlike large garden centers, it is a pocket-sized “tiny but mighty” way to address your gardening needs. If you have a patio, balcony or doorway in need of life and beauty, this is the place for you. Those with larger gardens can find inspiration and supplies here too.

OUR NAME: Cath, Bees' Founder, has a hobby of photographing murals. Of the 250+ murals she has documented, her favorite one features individual bees on unicycles. She described this one day to a friend as she was forming the business. “I like the idea of them all on one bike with little pedals...bees on a bicycle." It had a ring to it, made them (and others) laugh, and stuck.

LEADERSHIP: The company was founded by Cath Shaw who has farming roots from both sides of her family and formerly owned a DC-based landscaping business called Garden of Urban. After working for a major grower and at a large retailer of plants, she decided to branch out on her own.

• Anynomous

  17 March 2019

  Soon these horse staues will be gazing upon hundreds of indoor plants, carefully tended and selected for you. We have been researching all the fun plant options for your condo, apartment, workstation, home office and home. This is a key part of our increased emphasis on sustainable, mindful, walkable plant solutions in your community. We've done our homework and this week and next week the plants finally arrive!

  We thank you for your patience! Come play with us and breathe in some good planty goodness, drink some tea, and see what's possible. Be well.

  #mindfulliving #sustainableliving #slowdownandgrowsomething #indoorplantsdecor #houseplantlove #combatindoorairpollution #indoorgarden #containergarden #indoorairqualityawareness #indoorairquality #gardeninginthesouth

  report this review
• Anynomous

  15 March 2019

  Oh my goodness...we are in for a treat. We've been hard at work behind the scenes finding new vendors, the coolest fun plants, great soil additives that protect our river (more on garden water runoff later), wonderful legacy pots in all the most amazing colors, rustic Tuscany meets California meets Chattanooga succulent planters to die for, supplies for our upcoming behind the scenes evening of terreriaum amazingness (link in comments below), and more. It joins the Easter fun... among other coolness already here. Stay tuned for photos of new arrivals and announcements!

  #springiscoming #springisnear #springplanting #springarrivals #urbangardencenter #shopsmall #shoplocalchattanooga #womenowned #womanownedbusiness #planningforspring #dreaming #chattanoogalife #chattanoogaliving #noogagram #nooga #sustainableliving #southsidehistoricdistrict #environmentallife #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  11 March 2019

  Yesterday was rough despite the fabulous weather. It was 70° and folks thought spring was here to stay. Those that gardened last spring recall the weather on the 17th of April and begrudgingly wait. I explained why we are waiting until later in March and April to get plants and asked people for patience. Then I went home to hear my neighbor talk about how slammed another garden center was. I too want customers, but want to sell plants in a responsible way. It is a tough call ...involving business ethics. I remember when I worked at a corporate garden center they'd laugh about selling the same plant twice because the first ones froze when folks took plants home. As an owner of a small urban garden center I want a better, more efficient (ie less planned obscalescence) and sustainable route for all of us.

  Today I pray to be like this little red-haired girl again, ready for child-like wonder in the garden. I'm doing weeding and pruning at Bees to feed my need to dig in the dirt and hoping people will shop when the plants arrive.

  Very soon we will have a series of plant deliveries beginning March 23rd and flowing into April. Other deliveries came last week of non-freezable items like pots, Easter fun, and more. All is well.

  #childinthegarden #childlikewonder #redhairedgirl #redhair #allgrownupnow #businessethics #springisnear #plannedobsalescence #plannedobsalesence #chattanoogalife #makingjudgementcalls #educatingcustomers #helpinganeighbor #helpingnewfriends #fostercommunitycreatebeauty #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  10 March 2019

  Stylishly warm and shopping here at Bees. Somehow when you find the perfect planter the sun seems to shine. We are open today, Sunday 12:30 -- 4, Monday and Friday 11 -- 6, and Saturday 10 -- 5.

  We have a cascade of plant deliveries happening late March and early April, just in time for the freezing weather to subside and your new live charges to survive and thrive. Perennials, native growers, succulents, cactus, container garden cuties...and get this...houseplants by popular... request. We will announce each new delivery here and look forward to seeing you!

  📷 Karen Culp Photography + Design

  #chattanoogatn #chattanoogagiftshop #downtownchattanoogaliving #chattanoogalife #downtownchatt #chattanoogalivingandhomes #chattanoogalivingyourbestlife #noogamade #noogatoday #noogagram #gardencenterchattanooga #gardeningwithnativeplants #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  09 March 2019

  On Monday we gathered together for a book launch on my birthday. We posed here for a group shot, and as the party progressed other well-wishers arrived. As of today, 49 Amazon reviews are paving the way to book club fun and more. One is below so you can see what people think.

  I wrote this story because customers encouraged me to. They saw what I had to say here on social media and wanted more. Somehow in between customers I carved out the time. Thank you for being a part of t...he Bees community. I'm so glad to know you and document it in this special way.

  Recent review: My husband and I just finished reading Bees on a Bicycle: Finding Heart and Home in Small and Significant Ways. We both loved it! The book is a quick and easy read, but don’t read it too quickly or you may overlook all there is to learn. Cath Shaw Truelove writes in a casual, almost conversational style that will make you feel you are chatting with her over a cup of tea. While being open and authentic about the challenges in her life (divorce, loss of a job, and death of her mother and a beloved dog), she shares wonderful tips on how she found peace, happiness and balance. She illustrates how to be open to life’s opportunities, how to truly listen to your heart, and suggests clever ways to connect to customers and your community, while making lifelong friendships along the way. I think everyone who reads this book can relate to one or more of the losses Cath has experienced – the book is bound to touch you in many ways.

  📷 Karen Culp

  #chattanoogawriter #chattanoogaauthor #writinginthesouth #writingcommunity #beesonabicyclebook #booklaunch #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  08 March 2019

  Our new display area. A week or so ago we posted a photo of this in process, complete with sawing an antique table in half lengthwise! Well, here it is, all spruced up for spring. We are open today, Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12:30-4, and Monday 11-6. Come by and say hello!

  #chattanoogatn #chattanoogadecorator #chattanoogaenvironment #chattanoogalife #chattanoogaliving #noogagram #nooga #sustainableliving #southsidehistoricdistrict #retaillife #beesonabicycle

  report this review
• Anynomous

  08 March 2019

  Hot on the book tour trail with more dates to come! If you need a speaker or like witty stories read to you, give us a call and we'll add you. We also do Zoom chats with book clubs which are a ton of fun. One of the things I'm really proud of is the readers' guide...we pulled out all the stops!

  report this review
• Anynomous

  07 March 2019

  Guess what plant this is! Tag a friend, name your guess, and the first three correct entries get a free one when they come in stock when the weather warms!

  And as for what I'm up to here, you will just have to wait and see! Check back in a week for the big reveal!

  Winners may pick up their prize after April 5th at Bees. Winners will be notified by direct message and an announcement on Facebook and Instagram.

  ...

  #giantmysteryplant #guessandwin #guessandwincontest #giantplant #giantplants #behindthescenes #nooga #chattlife #lovingchattanooga #noogagram #noogafirst #chattanoogatnlocal #downtownchatt #chattanoogalife #chattanoogalife #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  06 March 2019

  The other day I explained that we were still in winter to a customer and they looked at me like I had two heads. It was a 50° day, the birds were chirping and trees blooming. It looked like spring, for sure. But then today occurred and here we are at 25° as I walked the dog this morning. Brrr. Winter for sure. Have faith. Spring is coming, but not today.

  Chattanooga's frost free date is April 17th. Be a smart gardener and hold tight. There will be plants at Bees when the time... is ripe for planting. In the interim, drink good tea, savor that last winter book, taste some great soup (or mac and cheese of you're like me) and live in the moment rather than wishing it away. All is well.

  #beingpresent #mindfulliving #mindfulness #theartofliving #livinginchatt #livingfully #smartshopping #keepingplantsalive #savvyshopping #chattanoogalife #chattanoogagardening #chattanoogasouthside #chattanoogaenvironment #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  02 March 2019

  I have to admit writing about this is a little weird. This book is about me at the most raw and vulnerable and hit like wildfire and kept on going. Over 40 5-star reviews on Amazon with more being added each week. My goal was to have just one person read it. When I saw a Facebook post about someone that couldn't put it down and read through dinner, I sat at the bar where I was meeting Graham and cried. . Please join us on Monday to celebrate. A link below in comments to regis...ter includes a book, food and drink and merriment. I'll do what I can to make my handwriting legible in a dedication for you. Instead of me trying to describe it, here are two of the reader comments: . "I was so captivated by this story that I read the book in its entirety, barely stopping to have a sip of tea in the past several hours. Reading about the journey of self-discovery and reinventing ones self until the shoes that fit best were found is both relateable and exciting. While I have not had major career changes, I can relate to the themes of loss, rediscovery in solitude, and growth in community. The writing style is easy to follow, elicits emotion, and illustrates a vivid picture, making this such an enjoyable book. I will certainly be recommending this book to my family and friends, gardeners and self-proclaimed black-thumbs alike." --Morgan . "Seriously, I laughed. I cried. I cried, a lot. Cath and I have never met, but we have chatted on the phone, messaged and texted for about a year. Just as I suspected, after reading Bees on a Bicycle, she is not an only child. We are sisters, separated at birth. Sisters from another mother. I wish I had read Cath's thoughts when I was 20, 30, 40 and 50. I'm sharing this with everyone I know, not just women. Men need to read it too. It is not a "chick" book. So, it's a quick read but you want to read it, not leave it. So, when you have a little time, brew a pot of tea and read. Support local businesses and, if you're in the Murfreesboro/Nashville area, ROAD TRIP!"--Candy . #chattanoogawriter #writinginchattanooga #beesonabicyclebook #newwriter #firsttimeauthor #memoirwriter #writingamemoir #celebration #chattanoogaevents #writinglife #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  01 March 2019

  Hello March! We are now open four days a week! Full hours are listed here on Facebook, on Google, Instagram, our web site and a sign on our gate. We will have deliveries arriving throughout March, plants coming once the freezing weather subsides, and more! We look forward to seeing you!

  #newhours #hellomarch #mybirthdaymonth #piscesseason #springhours #springiscoming #springishere #retaillife #sunrise #sunriseontheriver #chattanoogalivingourbestlife #chattanoogalove #beesonabicycle

  report this review
• Anynomous

  25 February 2019

  Nothing that a bag of M&Ms, popcorn from Ace Hardware and Pandora's Rock and Roll Housekeeping Channel can't solve... but I will say Fred has the right idea and March 1st reopening for spring is very close. More in our story!

  #shopkeeper #gettingreadyforspring #doityourself #shopsmallchattanooga #whatwasithinking #chattanoogalife #nooga #noogagram #chattanoogashoplocal #chattanoogatn #beesonabicycle

  report this review
• Anynomous

  24 February 2019

  Hooray for clear skies today! Graham and I travelled to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs this winter. The color palettes and topography inspired me. My family farmed in the desert for decades and the land really speaks to me. After I came home, I helped a husband create a desert planting for his wife's Valentine present. Full circle.

  #desertliving #learningfromtravels #weatherwishes #dryweather #clearskies #joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark #palmsprings #monkeytreehotel #cowboytub #beesonabicycle

  report this review
• Anynomous

  24 February 2019

  Some call it spring, some call it early spring, some call it crazy weather. Today I call it perseverance.

  #springblooms #floweringtree #chattanoogalife #chattanoogaliving #chattanoogalove #chattanoogaweather #beesonabicycle

  report this review
• Anynomous

  22 February 2019

  Nature is one of our greatest teachers. During the winter, it rests. It challenges us to find the stillness within ourselves, reset our rythmns, forge new avenues within our minds.

  As it rains...again...I try to do these things. Instead I find myself doing filing and taxes. I fill the winter stillness with busy.

  How can we learn from nature and just slow down for a time? How can we put down the laptop and allow the dog that's been asking to sit on your lap for an hour to rest... on you, as if to say "Look Mom, this is how its done!" I stare at his fur and know that this is the right place to be. Winter shares time with us.

  #winterhiatus #winterdormancy #mindfulness #mindfulliving #dogwisdom #learningfromnature #wisdomofdogs #movingintostillness #winterrythmns #beesonabicycle

  See More

  report this review
• Anynomous

  21 February 2019

  Join us on Thursday to have some fun. If you've figured out Facebook, but want to know more about Instagram, this is a fun way to explore together.

  report this review
• Anynomous

  21 February 2019

  Me seeing my book for the very first time.

  #chattanoogawriters #newauthors #beesonabicyclebook #beesonabicycle

  report this review