Carriers Bees

Hi! Just wanted to introduce ourselves. We started selling beekeeping supplies after we found out that Franklin Carrier passed away. We have been beekeepers for about six years and also did business with Mr. Carrier and although we cant begin to compare to the knowledge that Franklin Carrier had we do have some knowledge to share and we are always willing to learn. Please feel free to stop by our store located at 15 695 los Gatos Blvd. los Gatos, CA or send us an email at
. For more information feel free to browse our website
Thank You, Jon and Melody

Does anyone know if they moved? Just went by and the building at that address was for sale.

The place is a little pricy, same products can be found on amazon for a lot cheaper but you can’t beat the years of experience the shop owner has. He will break down any problem you have with great detail and he is a huge resource. I shop hear just to pick his brain, he super nice and I feel I I should be paying for a class every time I come in. Although unless u have prime shipping it ends up the same price as his shop. I have been bee keeping 2 years now and love it and it is so great having some where to go when I have questions

Little home business with readily available supplies and beekeeping advice. The prices are higher than ordering online, but the service is superb and you don’t have to wait for shipping when you buy local!

This is s local gem, and yes, the only source far and wide in the Bay Area for pretty much anything you need for beekeeping. Next closest is in Berkeley (Biofuel Oasis) or Sebastopol (Beekind) although they just opened up a retail location in SF. I have been going to Carriers for about 10 years and find their prices in line with any other bee supply retail outlets.
For any of you who had the experience of meeting Franklin Carrier or taking one of his beekeeping classes, you will know what a special person he was. He passed away in February this year, 2015 and I think he was over 95 years old, with 60 plus years of beekeeping experience, history and stories to share. His son Franklin (also), is continuing the business. I’m so grateful that he is. Of course all the personal help, recommendations, staying open unusual hours for emergencies and beekeeping community that they have created is free!

Don’t listen to the review by S.S. Clearly not a bee keeper, and not from this community.
I have had bees for about 5 years. Franky has had his business for decades and is an expert in Bees, and has written many books. And just to update the prior reviewer, Frank Carrier died a few months ago at 93 or so years old. He has always done business with cash, unless he knows you and then maybe you can get credit. He did not have a computer, everything was done by hand. The business is now being run by Randy, his son, just to keep things moving.
Franky was a great chap, he loaned me stuff for a presentation at school for my kids, and was great to chat with. I considered him a good friend.
It offends and bothers me when out of towners like the prior a-​hole march into town, and pass judgement on one of our long time locals.
Go back to San Francisco.

I have to agree with a previous reviewer. Franklin Carrier’s decades of knowledge is far more valuable than the few extra dollars you spend on supplies.
The place is tiny, but well stocked and it’s the only local source of beekeeping supplies in the San Jose area.
Favor local businesses, especially this one, folks. You won’t be disappointed.

I am just starting out and preparing for my first colony. I couldn’t believe how helpful and nice these men were. I dealt only with the son (Name is something like Randolf ??) I learned so much. It is really just an old fashioned store where they take their time and are very helpful. After all the research I had done, I believe they carry the highest quality stuff. I just couldn’t be more impressed! Only wish they accepted credit cards.

This shop is already listed on Unilocal under Carriers Bees.
That said, I’ll add my two cents, mostly to balance the existing review under this listing.
This is a small (tiny even) local business and the owners have a vast knowledge of bees and beekeeping that they will share kindly with you. And if you need something NOW (or yesterday as is often the case with ‘newbees’ like me), you can go to Franklin Carrier’s and get it.
So it isn’t always about the best deal. Sometimes its about supporting local business, and learning from the guy who has decades of experience, and «I gotta have it NOW — the bees won’t wait!». So I am going to give them 5 stars because it just isn’t fair to let this listing go with only the two already given.

This bee shop is great, and Franklin Carrier is an amazing source of knowledge and advice. They sell everything you need to get your beehive up and running, and also sell honey, wax, and other bee products. We bought our bee suits and accessories here for our new hive, and they are great– thank goodness we could try them on in person and didn’t have to order online. There’s a cute observation hive inside the store if you’d like to see what a working bee colony looks like up close (behind glass :).

Lucky you! You have found San Jose’s best and only only place to buy a super, queen excluder and wax foundation. This guy wrote the book on bee keeping!