Spencer, Tracey and Tom Congdon run Sun Parlor Honey in Cottam, a community of Kingsville, Ont. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
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With 78 million "workers" spread out in colonies across the region, Tom Congdon jokes that he's the largest employer in Essex County.
Busy bees inside a demonstration colony at the Sun Parlor Honey store. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Congdon, a third-generation beekeeper, owns Sun Parlor Honey with his family in Cottam. They're one of Ontario's largest honey producers.
Sun Parlor Honey's filling room
8 years ago
Duration 1:15
Sun Parlor Honey owner Tom Congdon fills pails of honey at his facility in Cottam, Ont.
I visited the Congdon's honey headquarters recently to learn more about their century-old family passion. Tap on the audio player to hear our conversation.
Sun Parlor sells honey in a variety of packages, from industrial-sized pails to decorative bottles such as this one in the shape of a bear. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
While Sun Parlor Honey is based on Road 9 East in Cottam, their bee colonies are scattered throughout Essex County, Chatham-Kent and Wellington County. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
In addition to liquid and creamed honey, Sun Parlor also sells honey still in the comb. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Bottles of buckwheat honey for sale at the Sun Parlor store. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Sun Parlor Honey is sold across Essex County, but the best selection is available at their store at the intersection of Road 9 East and Graham Side Road in Cottam. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Jonathan Pinto is the host of Up North, CBC Radio One's regional afternoon show for Northern Ontario and is based in Sudbury. He was formerly a reporter/editor and an associate producer at CBC Windsor. Email jonathan.pinto@cbc.ca.
