BeeBox

Located in the heart of Kaikōura’s post-earthquake container mall, BeeBox is a retail store specialising in organic honey and coffee.

Operated by third generation beekeeper Quintin Hislop, BeeBox is passionate about supporting sustainable beekeeping practises and honest honey producers. 

Grab a jar of locally produced honey and bring it back to refill for a discount.  On top of honey from Quintin’s own hives, a selection of different beekeeper’s honey is found in-store, plus other honey related products such as Hexagon Mead. Produced by Quintin’s cousin, Jesse, in a traditional way – fermented and aged in French oak casks - this dessert wine is most definitely worth a try. 

On the café side of the business, coffee at BeeBox is created with organic Allpress beans (the Hislop family have a long relationship with the roaster, having been one of the first to use their beans 25 years ago) and the baking is made by Quintin’s mum, Elizabeth, using Hislop’s organic wholemeal flour. BeeBox also offers a small range of gluten free and vegan options. Coffee is available solely in take out cups, but these are compostable; and while the city does not provide commercial composting, Quintin has taken matters into his own hands and set up a collection point for the cups at the café, which he then composts at the family’s organic farm.