Bellevue Honey Shop Restocks With 30 New Hives After Flood Wiped Out Its Colonies

Nearly a month after historic flooding struck Eastern Nebraska, a Bellevue business that lost almost all of its beehives says it is moving forward. Beauty and the Bees Honey Shop has restocked with 30 new hives, according to owner Anne-Marie Mistanoglu.

The shop had 35 hives before the flood and lost nearly all of them. The replacements came after a man named Kevin Craft, who was planning to retire, approached the business about buying his bees. "He had heard about our story," Mistanoglu said.

Cleanup is still underway. Mistanoglu said the team is working to clear equipment and destroyed hives from the shop's old property, but support from the community has made that work considerably easier.

The new hives mean the business does not have to wait for spring to get going again. "I feel really good about being back. We don't have to wait until the spring. They're ready to go so we just have to get ready for winter," Mistanoglu said.

On Tuesday, Governor Pillen submitted a request to FEMA for public assistance covering eight counties: Douglas, Fillmore, Lancaster, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward and Thayer. The governor's office said the request was sent to the president's office and is still awaiting approval.

Mistanoglu said she has been told she must have an established farm to qualify for assistance, and that officials plan to help her set one up so she can then apply. She said the aid could matter for others as well. "For families that may have lost their homes, or parts of their home, this will help them rebuild their lives," she said.

Property owners in Douglas County also have a new option for recovery. The U.S. Small Business Administration approved a disaster declaration for the county, which opens access to low-interest loans.

Amid the recovery, the shop also had good news to share. It won the Best of Bellevue award, the third time the business has earned the honor.