It also allows a stunning variety, from beauty products to things like Honey Buzz honey drink and Margaret's Honey Habanero Hot Sauce
“It's a very exciting time for all businesses in the community, as we all start to push back from the challenging times we have had over the past 18 months or so. And you always get very invigorated and excited when you see businesses that push through the struggles,” Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Brenda Whitehead said at the ribbon cutting minutes later.
Kalisz is a life-long Port Hope resident, Whitehead said, “so we were very excited to see him taking over what once was a produce market and turning it into the most wonderful apiary-warehouse-gift shop to celebrate agriculture and all the things that matter to us in Port Hope.”
“You've done a wonderful job here,” Port Hope Deputy Mayor Les Andrews commented, predicting the operation will be both an economic driver to the community as well as a popular visitor attraction.
“I have been struck over the last couple of years by the richness and fullness of our agricultural community,” Northumberland-Quinte West MP Philip Lawrence said.
“We produce some of the best milk and the best grain and some of the best honey in the entire world – some of the best eggs as well. It makes me so excited when we see the continuity between the end user and the agricultural producers so we make sure the revenue that comes from agricultural products comes back to the producers.”
Kalisz offered thanks to the neighbours near his home production facilities in Canton for the disruption the move may have created. He also thanked his new neighbours in Welcome for the year of construction, as well as his employees who helped him prepare for this new chapter in the Dancing Bee story.
MPP David Piccini could not be there, though he has promised to show up for the dunk tank at their special Community Barbecue Day on Friday. But Kalisz had special thanks for the MPP as well in helping him negotiate some formidable hurdles along the way.
Kalisz ended his remarks with a surprise announcement about a new project he is supporting – obtaining a piece of the 11-acre parcel of land across the road from his facility to make a home for the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum.
The museum has been struggling since it lost its premises at 95 Mill St. S. in Port Hope and was subsequently unable to secure the former Canadian Tire property. The 11 acres that includes the ruins of the former Welcome Inn is owned by the Ministry of Transportation, Kalisz said.
The ribbon cutting is done, but a week of celebration events remains.
