Haven's Stolen Bee Hive to be Replaced Today

The pun count starts now. According to a recent press release, Haven's officially back in bees-iness starting today at 10:30 a.m.

The restaurant, which focuses on local ingredients, was all a-buzz when a couple of beestards stole their original 500-pound beehive last month. But the bees are back, and they're ready to make some honey.

Just to be clear, these bees are not the same ones that were recently stolen from the restaurant, but bees that were "retrieved from a home where they had invaded a bedroom wall" by Haven's resident beekeeper, Shelley Rice (who totally sounds like a badass, btw).

Because of the recent sticky situation, Haven is "planning a full Honey-based dinner to raise both funds and awareness about honey bees and the dire threats they are facing in this country" on Earth Day, April 22. Funds will go to "help establish hives in gardens and park areas of the city."

Today also happens to be Haven chef/owner Randy Evans' birthday. Isn't that the bee's knees?

The full press release:

HOUSTON... The “Missed Bee Haven” bees at Haven Restaurant will be replaced at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, when a new hive arrives at the popular restaurant – coincidentally landing on the same day Co-Owner/ Chef Randy Evans celebrates his birthday.

The bees, retrieved from a home where they had invaded a bedroom wall, will be placed outside the restaurant by Haven’s professional bee keeper, Shelley Rice, Wednesday morning.

For anyone wondering what all the buzz is about on the arrival of a bee hive, they may have missed news reports on what may be a first for criminal activity in Houston. Thieves struck the restaurant just before sunrise one chilly morning in early March and made off with a harvest-ready bee hive and the bees inside of it.

The honey-making bees will be placed in the same area, but security will be increased. (Who knew there was a market for bee guards?). As before, the bees will be active in the nearby sustainable Chef’s garden, meaning their honey will be developed from a planned program of blooms and blossoms.

Personnel at Haven Restaurant, located at 2502 Algerian Way near the Southwest Freeway, discovered the missing hive the same day it disappeared and said security cameras show a truck with a camper attached parked in the vicinity of where the hive was located. The whole Bee-gone heist took minutes.

The stolen honey bee hive was full of honey, thus requiring at least two people to pick it up and load it in the truck. Because it is such an unusual theft, it is believed whomever took the hive was familiar and experienced in handling live honeybees. Cool temperatures and rain meant the bees were at their most docile. The Houston police department was notified but has not reported any major leads. It is doubtful they want to hear another comment about a sting operation.

The theft and interest in bees did prompt Haven to take another look at its Sunday, April 22, Earth Day plans. The certified Green Restaurant is now planning a full Honey-based dinner to raise both funds and awareness about honey bees and the dire threats they are facing in this country. Funds from the dinner will help establish hives in gardens and park areas of the city.

Haven is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Haven is open for brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information or reservations, visit www.havenhouston.com or call 713-581-6101.

· Beehive Stolen from Haven's Garden [EHOU]
· All Haven Coverage on Eater Houston [EHOU]