Bronx’s Urban Beekeepers Buzz in Melrose

The Bronx is abuzz with urban beekeepers this winter, as Melrose rooftops hum with hives. Last night, I met Mia Chen at her apiary atop a tenement, where 20,000 bees churn out honey. She’s part of a crew turning NYC’s concrete into a nectar goldmine. Her latest batch—wildflower with a tar tang—sold out at a farmer’s market in hours. ‘Bees thrive here; the city’s a buffet,’ Chen says, lifting a frame. The hum’s a rare Bronx lullaby.

The trend’s sweet—dozens joined since a 2024 ban lift, with co-ops teaching newbies the sting game. Chen’s hive yields 50 pounds a year, feeding bodegas and hipster cafés. Last week, a swarm escaped, freaking out a bodega cat but settling on a fire escape. Rooftop gardens fuel the boom—dandelions and clover are bee candy. A kid in a beekeeper suit shadowed Chen, hooked on the buzz. It’s gritty green living, NYC-style.

Not all are sweet on it—tenants below fear stings, though Chen swears her bees are chill. Landlords balk at hive weight, but grants cover gear, easing the sting. A rival beekeeper in Mott Haven’s pushing lavender honey, sparking a turf war. Still, the hype’s sticky—#BronxBees is trending. Chen’s honey’s a taste of the borough’s edge.

She’s eyeing a spring expo, maybe a hive on Yankee Stadium if they bite. ‘NYC’s tough—bees get it,’ she says, jarring a fresh batch. The beekeepers are a small swarm, but they’re making waves. Melrose honey’s the Bronx’s new gold—raw and real. Snag a jar; it’s worth the buzz.