New to Nyack: Bee Alive

What is Nyack buzzing about?

One of the village's latest businesses, New Bee Spa and Retail Store at 19 North Broadway.

Last Friday evening, Lori Balletta-Avgerinos, her family and staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. And on Saturday, a grand opening took place all day with food, refreshments and some giveaway items—including BeeAlive's chocolate B-12 Plus. This little piece of pure dark chocolate is filled with vitamin B-12, B-6 and folic acid—plus a honey and royal jelly filling. It's tasty, and helps fight stress.

BeeAlive's history

Over 25 years ago in Valley Cottage, Madeline Balletta founded BeeAlive at her kitchen table. In 1989, Madeline's husband built what they now refer to as "The Hive" to house this thriving business. BeeAlive is a direct-to-consumer company offering three product lines: fresh, never freeze-dried royal jelly, essential dietary supplements and Bee-moisturized skincare.

BeeAlive still resides in Valley Cottage at the Hive and is run by Madeline's son Jason, who is President and CEO. But now Madeline's daughter, Lori, has opened the Bee Spa and Retail Store. Along with Lori is her sister-in-law Rose who worked diligently for this store to come to fruition.

"We give a money-back guarantee," Lori explained. "If you are not satisfied with our product, bring it back for a full refund."

"We have over 85 percent repeat customers," she added.

On Saturday, Lori was certainly enthusiastic about her products, meeting and greeting her guests with warmth and knowledge about her new venture.

"We even sell a royal jelly that you can spread on toast," she explained. "People used to think that when we said 'jelly,' that's what we actually meant."

What is royal jelly?

Royal Jelly is actually the exclusive food of the Queen Bee. It is a nutritious substance that is a complex of many bio-active compounds, including a wide array of nutrients and 10-HDA found nowhere else in nature. BeeAlive Royal Jelly is harvested from hives in Thailand and other parts of Asia. And all Jelly used in BeeAlive's products is always fresh, never freeze-dried.

Lori is planning for the spa portion of her business to open in July. But for now, she is busy completing the retail store with her worker bees and telling the tale of her Mom, Madeline, royal jelly and the Hive. Oh, and creating one-of-a-kind jewelry that is also for sale at the store.

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Bee Spa and Retail Store, 19 North Broadway, Nyack (845) 727-7775, lballetta@beealive.com