Mark and Thien Gretchen (and their staff) are absolutely wonderful. In addition to offering various in-person classes for new beekeepers or those just interested in bees, they host an almost weekly (Saturday mornings) FaceBook live broadcast where Mark goes over relevant topics. The equipment portion of the store is very well stocked and has pretty much anything a beekeeper could need (or want) at reasonable prices. The wax/honey/product portion of the store always has unique one-of-a kind items as well as the 'typical' items that folks regularly buy (i.e. honey, beeswax, candles, etc.). Though the store is usually always busy, Mark, Thien and other staff are never too busy to answer questions from customers. They also respond (amazingly quickly - far better than I think I would be) to emails with questions from beekeepers. They have queens (unmarked early on and marked later) available for re-queening each year, which is really great because re-queening is a regular part of beekeeping and being able to obtain them locally is great. Aside from being helpful at the store and in answering questions, everyone at Gretchen's Bee Ranch are just good people - people you'd want to be friends with even if you weren't customers. If you've never stopped buy, check this place out. If you are a beekeeper anywhere near Seguin, this is the place to come for all of your apiary needs. If you just want to learn more about bees, there is probably a class (either a limited in-person one, an on-line one or a no-limit in-person one) for you! read more

I've been meaning to by this business for some time, glad we finally did. Great people, love the products. Thanks.

Oh my goodness! I just love local small businesses and I especially love this place after visiting for my first time. If you have never been to Gretchen Bea Ranch you should come and be amazed. They have some of the most unique honey flavors that are local to our great state of Texas. You can sample all of the varieties. I was especially surprised to find out that they give beekeeping classes. They also sell all of the tools and equipment you would need to raise your own bees and produce your own honey. I highly recommend this business. They were very welcoming and answered any questions I had. read more

If you want to add local honey to you food pantry...Gretchen Bee Farm is a must. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. The honey is flavorful and great tasting and I choose local honey over commercial honey any day. read more

We just LOVED our visit! Tien (Mrs Bee Keeper ) was DELIGHTFUL! She was so kind to make suggestions to help us combat allergies with their delicious raw honey. She made us feel so welcome and clearly delights in sharing their passion with their guests and customers. Plan to shop a bit when you come! There's a little showroom filled with a variety of honey based products-- I picked up extras for hostess gifts! read more

We met and Gretchen and her husband at the Home and Garden show a couple of months ago. Very friendly and they definitely know honey. Tried several different samples, all delightful. Went with the Mesquite honey, wow...we went through the entire bottle fast. Ready to get some more and very reasonably priced. Best honey we have had...we will go back for more. read more

I met the Gretchens after suffering from allergies and always hearing about how honey can help. But store-bought honey has never worked. However their fresh real unfiltered honey, not only taste great, but it cleared up my allergies. Not too mention they are the sweetest family and you will enjoy meeting them like I did. read more

Gretchen bee ranch is a great place for new and experienced beekeepers. Mark and Thein are the owners. Being new to bee keeping I found them welcoming and very willing to share their knowledge . They have classes that are offered throughout the year such as intro to beekeeping. Once or twice a month on Saturday they have free, yes free 1 hour seminars ( did I mention free?)- this tells you how much these 2 love beekeeping that they want to spread the word. The seminar I attended was learning about smoking your bees,and we had hands on experience. Their shop includes local honey from the 150 hives that they maintain in Frio, Bexar and Guadalupe counties just to name a few. Also beeswax candles, lip balm, creamed honey and Christmas ornaments. I'm sure I'm forgetting other bee products that are sold. Mark sells honey extractors, nucs, queens, and everything else for beekeepers. He has some hives on premises. Their shop is in a residential area and is behind their property but is well marked with yellow flags. I will definitely bee coming back to Gretchens bees ranch. read more

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I visited Gretchen Bee Ranch in December with my grandson because he is interested in bees. Folks couldn't have been nicer and answered all his questions. Also walked away with some of their delicious honey. Worth a side trip or a honey stop! read more

Matthew...everyone has a bad day, Mark and Tien are amazing folks...I couldn't let your negative review be the first one people see...these folks go above and beyond to help if you are respectful/kind/ and have a little patience. Their Saturday lessons are great and always start and end on time! My favorite bee shop!! read more

We stopped in here to check out the bee equipment and stumbled upon a Saturday morning class that Mark was teaching on mite control. Mark truly has a passion for beekeeping and it showed in his knowledge of bees and his eagerness to help newbies like us get started. We love to support local businesses and we ended up buying all the tools and equipment that we need to start 2 hives for this coming season. Mark also sells Nucs, which we were wait listed for. He was confident that he would have enough to fill the wait list. I'm looking forward to it! His shop was well stocked with hive tools, bee suits, hive parts - assembled and unassailable, smokers, honey processing equipment, logs of regional honey!, beeswax products, mite and pest control, and just about everything else you would need. We will definitely be coming here for any thing we need as well as to ask questions to Mark. read more

Mark, the owner, is very kind and companionate about bees. However, his wife is extremely rude and not customer friendly. She had the audacity to tell me she would not answer a question about how much quantity the hive top feeder holds that I purchased from them telling me that I would forget. Then she stated that she only answers questions to "our group". When I asked what that means she explained that was the customers that purchase bees from them. I explained I purchased the hardware from them (about $900). She finally told me 2 gallons for each one Really, a 5 minute awful conversation for 2 words. I wanted to allow Mark the opportunity to address this issue. I called and requested to speak to him. I was told that, due to it being April and a busy bee month, he was unavailable to talk with me for a month!! Wow! read more