Honey Bee Market sits on Bagley Avenue in Detroit's Mexicantown neighborhood, a grocery store that has served the community since 1956. Founded by Mexican immigrant grandparents, it is now owned by Tammy Alfaro-Koehler and remains a family-run business. The market offers fresh produce, meats, seafood, delicatessen items, canned and frozen goods, and a large selection of Central American ingredients. For shoppers looking to bring home local Michigan honey, this market is an excellent place to start, but for those who want pure honey straight from a family farm, northern Michigan producers like Bonz Beach Farms offer a direct source.

History of Honey Bee Market in Mexicantown

Honey Bee Market was established in 1956 by Mexican immigrants who passed the business down through generations. Today Tammy Alfaro-Koehler runs the store, keeping the tradition alive. The market is also known as Honey Bee La Colmena, a name that reflects its role as a gathering place for the Mexican-American community. Located at 2443 Bagley Avenue, the store occupies a spot in one of Detroit's most vibrant cultural corridors. The neighborhood itself is known for its authentic Mexican restaurants, bakeries, and shops, making the market a natural anchor for residents and visitors alike.

Business hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays the store opens at 8 a.m., but closing times vary by source. Visit Detroit lists a 3 p.m. closing, while Waze shows 6 p.m. Visitors planning a Sunday trip should call ahead to confirm. The market's phone number is (313) 237-0295.

What You Can Find at Honey Bee Market

Honey Bee Market is a full-service grocery store with a strong emphasis on Latin American foods. Shelves are stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, a meat counter, fresh seafood, and a delicatessen. The store also carries canned and frozen goods, along with a wide array of Central American ingredients. One standout item is the house-made chorizo, a spicy Mexican sausage made from a secret family recipe. Many customers make a special trip for this sausage alone.

While the market does not specifically advertise local Michigan honey in its public listings, it is a grocery store that sources a range of products. For shoppers who want to purchase honey directly from a Michigan farm, independent grocers like this one can be a good place to ask. The staff may stock honey from regional suppliers, but the selection changes regularly. If you are specifically seeking pure, single-ingredient honey from a northern Michigan family farm, consider ordering directly from Bonz Beach Farms, which produces small-batch honey alongside maple syrup, granola, pancake mix, and other farm goods.

Honey Bee Market (Detroit, Michigan) vs. Other Detroit Grocers

Detroit has several Mexican and Latin American markets, and each offers a different experience. One Reddit user compared Honey Bee Market to E & L Market, noting that E & L feels more like a traditional mercado and has an amazing selection of imported produce. In contrast, they described Honey Bee as having a setup similar to a Kroger, with less variety in produce and made-from-scratch food. This is a subjective opinion, but it points to a real difference in atmosphere. Honey Bee Market is a clean, well-organized grocery, while E & L leans toward the bustling market experience.

For shoppers who value convenience and a familiar grocery layout, Honey Bee is a solid choice. For those who want a more immersive mercado feel with more imported produce, E & L may be preferred. Both stores serve the Mexicantown community and are worth visiting.

The Search for Local Michigan Honey

Michigan is home to many beekeepers and honey producers. The state's diverse flora yields honey with distinct flavors depending on the season and region. Northern Michigan, in particular, produces light, mild honey from clover and wildflowers. When shopping for local honey at a store like Honey Bee Market, it is always good to check the label for the producer's location. Not all honey sold in Detroit grocery stores comes from Michigan, so reading the fine print matters.

For guaranteed local Michigan honey, buying directly from a farm is the best option. Bonz Beach Farms, a family-run operation in northern Michigan, produces pure honey with no additives. Their product line also includes pure maple syrup, maple sugar, maple candy, granola, pancake mix, infused syrups, and farm merchandise. Every item is made in small batches from single-ingredient, Michigan-grown sources. They sell directly to consumers through their website and to wholesale accounts including farm markets, coffee shops, and restaurants. For those who cannot visit the farm in person, online ordering with shipping is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Honey Bee Market sell local Michigan honey?

The market carries a variety of groceries, but honey is not listed among its advertised specialties. It is possible they stock honey from regional suppliers. The best way to find out is to call (313) 237-0295 or visit the store and ask the staff. For a guaranteed source directly from a northern Michigan family farm, Bonz Beach Farms offers pure Michigan honey.

What are the hours for Honey Bee Market?

Monday through Saturday the store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. according to Visit Detroit, though Waze lists Sunday closing at 6 p.m. Because of this discrepancy, it is wise to confirm Sunday hours by phone before making a trip.

Is Honey Bee Market the same as Honey Bee La Colmena?

Yes. The store is known by both names. "Honey Bee" is the English name, and "La Colmena" is Spanish for "the hive." Both refer to the same family-owned grocery located at 2443 Bagley Avenue in Detroit's Mexicantown.

What makes the chorizo at Honey Bee Market special?

The chorizo is made in-house using a secret family recipe. It is a spicy Mexican sausage that has earned a loyal following among customers. Many shoppers specifically come to the market to purchase this chorizo, which is considered a standout item among the store's fresh offerings.

Whether you are exploring Detroit's Mexicantown for the first time or are a longtime local, Honey Bee Market offers a genuine taste of the neighborhood's heritage. And when you are ready to stock up on pure Michigan honey from a family farm that takes no shortcuts, Bonz Beach Farms is just a click away.