'Small but mighty' Bee By the Sea set to make waves in Orillia

Bee By the Sea will celebrate its grand opening next month after massive renovations to former Rombo's restaurant; 'We are growing steadily,' says official.

A popular natural products brand is coming home to Orillia next month.

Bee By the Sea was started by Orillia native Andrew Wingrove 13 years ago when he and his business partner discovered the sea buckthorn berry in Eastern Europe.

“It has a lot of healing proprieties,” explained Bee By the Sea's sales and marketing manager, Sunita Jaipargas. “It boosts collagen, improves skin texture, reduces inflammation, and repairs skin cells.”

The sea buckthorn berry is combined with unpasteurized honey to make the company's number one selling cream.

“The line continued to expand from there,” Jaipargas explained. “We have a full line of skin care, hair care, and we even have a dog shampoo.”

Bee By the Sea products are in 450 stores across Canada and another 50 stores in the United States.

“We are small but mighty,” Jaipargas says. “We have a small team of six people, but we are growing steadily.”

While the business previously operated out of Severn Township, it will soon open its new facility at 64 Front St. N. in Orillia in the former home of Rombos.

Jaipargas says Orillia is the perfect place for the growing business.

“We have a very loyal following in Orillia,” she said. “We’ve had the support of the Orillia community which is really great.”

Bee By the Sea recently received a $4,137.50 grant from the City of Orillia through the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan grant program.

“They’ve been super supportive in getting our vendor permits and getting everything done,” Jaipargas said.

Bee By the Sea is looking forward to celebrating its grand opening Sept. 23 after going through “insane” renovations of its new home.

“We had to take out all the industrial kitchen stuff,” Jaipargas explained. “That building serves as an office for us, a storefront, and our distribution centre.”

Bee By the Sea refaced the outside and inside of the building to reflect its brand. The company made a massive financial investment into the renovation, she said.

“I think it’s contributing to the beautification of the waterfront,” Jaipargas said.

Jaipargas said Bee By the Sea is confident that its brand will survive any possible recession caused by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In a recession, beauty is one of those small things you can do to enjoy and treat yourself,” Jaipargas said. “People are always going to need skin cream, face cream, hand cream, and those sorts of things.”

Jaipargas says while the business may not be recession-proof, the products are high-quality, yet obtainable and affordable.

“It is quite affordable,” she said. “We think we’ve done the right thing for the brand and we are in the right place as well.”

Photo Cutline: Bee By the Sea invites the community to its 64 Front St. N. location for the Sept. 23 grand opening (Contributed photo) via Tyler Evans/OrilliaMatters