V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson’s newest dining spot is the place to “Bee.”
“The Hive” officially opens on Monday and is the flower of 10 years of dreams by owner Kristi Bullock.
Inspired by Austin Grind, Bullock says she “feel in love with coffee, and wanted to have a coffee shop of my own.
“Back in the day, many many, many years ago, when I was a depressed young adult, I hated going out in public,” she says. “But I had the one little local coffee shop that I absolutely loved. It’s called Austin Grind. That’s where I would go and get my social interaction. Like I would go, I would talk to the barista. And then I would go into the corner and put my earbuds in and that was me socializing. That place was just comfortable and safe. And it was a place where I felt good and knew me and like, it just had the perfect energy. And I love it. I went there for years.”
As time passed Bullock says she started learning more about coffee and figuring out what she wanted to do when she grew up. “And coffee just felt right to me,” she said. “I remember that great little community coffee shop that I used to go to and decided that’s what I wanted to do with my life. So it’s been a dream. 10 years in the making, but you’re here. I’m here.”
“The Hive” has been doing a soft opening the last week to prepare and iron out the kinks. But starting Monday they’re open for “breakfast, lunch, and coffee.”
“We’re perfecting our lunch menu this week,” Bullock says. “We’ve got grilled pimento cheese sandwiches. We’re going to have a chicken orzo soup. And we’ve got some good chicken salad back there that we’re trying.”
The name “The Hive” and the whole bee theme came about following Bullock’s experinces during the pandemic.
“As you’re aware, 2020 was kind of a crappy year for everyone,” she said. “I had a few extra fun things thrown in my glass. We were in a pandemic and that was the highlight of my year. And I don’t think a lot of people can say that.
“I got this cute little tattoo of a bee like ‘Bran,’ one of my favorite characters in a book called Son of Shadows by Juliet Marillier. He is a character who’s very strong in himself, who pulls people together and creates community with them. And he just has this resilience that I really wanted to emulate when I was going through my hard time. Apparently my friends and family all saw the tattoo and just started giving me bee stuff.
And then, like everywhere I looked it was honeycomb on the walls and little bees everywhere. So I decided to listen to the universe. And it became ‘The Hive’ because a beehive is a gathering place with something a little sweet inside.”
Bullock says the goal was to do this and be awesome.
“I’ve said for years that I wanted a community coffee shop and didn’t realize that the community would be building the coffee shop with me, right?” she says. “Like you see all this heavy stuff everywhere? I cannot tell you how many different men came and helped haul stuff into the building with me. Every time there has been a need, like somebody has stepped up and helped. It’s been so humbling.”
The kitchen is championed by Stevie Lowe. “She makes magic in the kitchen,” said Bullock. “she’s back there and she works her kitchen. She just makes magic in the kitchen is what she does.”
The Hive fully opens on Monday and will be offering soup, salad, and sandwiches at lunchtime. Breakfast offerings include frittatas with fruits and avocado toast on house made sourdough bread. The also will be offering a home made yogurt and granola. There will, of course, be a full coffee and espresso bar along with a selection of hot and iced teas. The Hive also offers a “coffee subscription” which for $30 a month allows unlimited drip coffee with your own dedicated mug.
There is also a meeting room in the back along with used books for sale and corners to relax in.
“I call it the cozy room because just sitting and talking in a community like this, it’s fantastic. It makes my heart swell every time,” said Bullock.
The Hive is located at 410 N Polk Street. You can find them online at thehiveinjefferson.com, on Facebook and Instagram @thehiveinjefferson, or by calling 903-601-4463.