The new venture I'm speaking of was born on a farm - a mansion and a farm, to be exact - in the sleepy but storied town of Sharon Springs, New York. Theirs was not your average agricultural scenario, however: cows and pigs, hundreds of acres of corn fields, massive amounts of equipment and tools. Brent and Josh had something a little more quaint (and much more creative) in mind after purchasing the 1802 estate.
The couple had goats and used the luscious milk to create luxurious, handmade, organic soaps, employing local artisans to help beautify their craft. They launched a website (beekman1802.com) to sell their ruralite dream while still maintaining busy, active lives as executives in Manhattan to help fund their burgeoning business.
Two years later, the Beekman brand has sored to incredible and unexpected new heights, as has their line of Beekman merchandise: textiles, decorative accessories, vegetable seeds, stationery, cheese, cider and, of course, an expanded line of gorgeous, all-natural soap. With features in Vanity Fair, the New York Times and stints on the Martha Stewart Show, the 'Fabulous Beekman Boys' (as they will soon be known to the world) garnered the attention of some noteworthy investors, including the luxury retail brand Anthropologie (where I work!) and Planet Green, a sub-station of the Discovery Channel.
The couple had goats and used the luscious milk to create luxurious, handmade, organic soaps, employing local artisans to help beautify their craft. They launched a website (beekman1802.com) to sell their ruralite dream while still maintaining busy, active lives as executives in Manhattan to help fund their burgeoning business. Two years later, the Beekman brand has sored to incredible and unexpected new heights, as has their line of Beekman merchandise: textiles, decorative accessories, vegetable seeds, stationery, cheese, cider and, of course, an expanded line of gorgeous, all-natural soap. With features in Vanity Fair, the New York Times and stints on the Martha Stewart Show, the 'Fabulous Beekman Boys' (as they will soon be known to the world) garnered the attention of some noteworthy investors, including the luxury retail brand Anthropologie (where I work!) and Planet Green, a sub-station of the Discovery Channel.
Several variations of their soaps are now sold across the United States, Canada and Britain in Anthropologie stores, including their latest, the "After the Garden" soap, shown below. Featuring unique labels and packaging, I can tell you that they are more lovely than one might anticipate, having been a customer and promoter of theirs since the beginning. If you don't live near an Anthropologie, you can order online, or perhaps make the trek to Sharon Springs yourself to visit their quaint new shop, Beekman 1802 Merchantile, which opened last weekend on the main drag. (My mother was actually their first customer!)
Even more exciting is their new television show, "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" which charts the daily existence of two Manhattanites trying (at times struggling) to lead the lives of farmers. The new show will begin airing at the end of June but you can view previews for the show here. Friends, family and colleagues of the Beekman Boys are all currently descending on Sharon Springs to attend the screening of the first episode. (Although I was invited, schedules did not permit my attendance, sad as that may be.) In any case, I can't wait to see the show! 
Last December I had occasion to visit the Beekman farm and meet Josh after a few years of happy correspondence on a trip to Sharon Springs I took with my mother. We got to meet the goats too! (Brent was busy in Manhattan at a Martha Stewart event.) Both my mom and I came away thinking what a tremendously warm and generous soul Josh was and we quietly marvelled at all they had accomplished, with plans to continue building on that dream. They are inspiring people and inspiring creators, people I urge everyone to support - not just because they are friends, but because they are good, good people. (Be sure to catch their appearance on the Martha Stewart Show on Wednesday, May 26th!!)
8 comments:
I just saw the preview for the show on TV. It looks great! Setting my DVR ASAP!
I always thought that maybe you had a hand in their anthro deal, Andrew. I don't know what you do for the company, so maybe that speculation is way off base. Regardless, you have been a good friend, and enthusiastic promoter of theirs, and I'm sure they appreciate it greatly.
Andrew, I remember you blogging about Beekman, and that is how I first started looking at their blog and then buying their soap. I currently have the garden soap sitting on a pretty plate at the kitchen sink.
I doubt the show will be on in the UK but I wish Brent and Josh every happiness on this new venture.
I actually did not have a hand in the deal, but it was strange coincidence that just a few months after I joined the company, the Beekman Boys came aboard. It's all fate!
What a beautiful farm!
Are we going to get the show in Canada Andrew? I would love to see it; I am a reality show junkie (only the good ones!)
Is Anthro only carrying one kind of soap? Any other product from them? If no, I might just have to go down there.....
You can definitely get the show in Canada, Ailsa, you simply have to subscribe to Planet Green, which is part of the Discovery Channel. I'm almost positive Rogers and Bell carry it.
Can't wait to see their TV show, which I anticipate being sort of a gay Green Acres! ;)
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