West Billings Honey Operation Thrives Through Community Market Sales

Every Saturday morning through October 4th, the bustling Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market serves as the financial backbone for a West Billings family pursuing their passion for beekeeping.

 

Magic City Apiary has carved out its niche among more than 60 vendors spanning four city blocks in downtown Billings, where raw honey becomes the centerpiece of a thriving family business.

 

For six seasons running, Erika Strecker and her mother Jackie Swiesz have built their beekeeping operation around weekend market sales that often result in complete sellouts.

 

The duo produces pure, unfiltered honey exclusively from their West Billings location, refusing to add preservatives or artificial enhancements to their golden product.

 

Their approach centers on authenticity and local sourcing — qualities that keep customers returning week after week for both liquid honey and specialty products like beeswax and fresh honeycomb.

 

Free sampling has become a cornerstone of their marketing strategy, allowing first-time buyers to experience the distinctive taste that sets local honey apart from mass-produced alternatives.

 

Revenue from weekend sales directly fuels the expansion of their beekeeping infrastructure, with profits channeled into additional hive boxes and extraction equipment necessary for scaling their operation.

 

City ordinance permits hobbyist beekeepers to maintain up to two hives within Billings city limits, providing regulatory support for small-scale honey producers like Magic City Apiary.

 

The vendors share the market space with diverse offerings from Mountain View Colony, which brings fresh produce and baked goods, and spiritual educators who distribute free literature about meditation and mindfulness.

 

Montana typically ranks among the top five honey-producing states nationwide, creating a competitive but supportive environment for local apiaries.

 

Community connection drives many vendors beyond pure profit motives, as the market serves as a weekly gathering place where neighbors discover local producers and build lasting relationships.

 

The market operates from 8am to 12pm every Saturday at the intersection of N Broadway and 2nd Ave N, positioning itself as a cornerstone of downtown weekend activity.

 

For Magic City Apiary, the farmers market represents more than a sales venue — it's the catalyst that transformed a hobby into a sustainable beekeeping enterprise rooted in community support.