Dover is a long way from the Bronx, where Chevonne Boyd grew up. But when she and her husband, Cheston, decided to have kids, they moved closer to family members who retired in Dover after leaving the military.
“We fell in love with Delaware for everything it has to offer, from the low taxes to the proximity to the beach and New York,” Boyd says. “Most importantly, it’s a great place to raise a family.”
Boyd is now giving back to the community that embraced her. In June 2024, she opened The Hive on Loockerman, an event center that supports startup and established companies, nonprofits, and individuals seeking space to hold a function.
It didn’t take long for the buzz to hit town. The Hive has already been the setting for workshops, training sessions, and baby showers.
Pursuing a passion
Boyd, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, is a self-professed “Jane of all trades.” She’s been a public relations professional, an event planner, a graphic artist, and an adjunct professor. She’s worked in government and for nonprofits. No matter where she was employed, she was the go-to person for event planning and graphic design.
Boyd started Canvassed Freelance Design to merge her interests, but she always had a soft spot for business advancement. “While I love doing balloon work and making things pretty for birthday parties, I’ve developed an affinity for the corporate sector. I geek out over conferences, workshops, and training seminars,” she says.
The Hive is for businesspeople like Boyd—creatives who “think outside the box,” she says. “They don’t fit into the traditional corporate sector.”
“We provide a turnkey service from beginning to end, so all you have to do is walk in and start talking.”
—Chevonne Boyd, founder of The Hive on Loockerman
She found a haven at 28 W. Loockerman St., the three-story, 3,800-square-foot building that previously housed Bel Boutique. The Hive is on the first floor; the second and third floors will be apartments.
She also found support from the state. In 2023, Delaware’s Division of Small Business awarded The Hive an EDGE Grant. EDGE—which stands for Encouraging Development, Growth, and Expansion—provides new businesses with capital assistance. Companies must be under 7 years old and employ no more than 10 full-time workers.
Boyd used the funding for façade improvements and code-compliant construction, as well as design, technology, and equipment upgrades.
Boyd also received $5,000 as the second-place winner in the third annual Minority Small Business Pitch or Ditch. The Wilmington Public Library, Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative, and United Way of Delaware sponsored the competition.
Turning dreams into a Dover reality
The Hive consists of a main conference room—with a capacity of 50—and a sound-treated podcast room. (Boyd would like to start a podcast soon.) This small “maker space” is ideal for videographers, photographers, and one-on-one sessions. There is a kitchenette and space for a commercial printer. A small room can accommodate up to three people for a Zoom session.
Co-working is part of the business plan, but thus far, customers primarily use The Hive for events and activities. For instance, The Hive hosted three days of charrettes—or workshops—for stakeholders and business owners to discuss downtown Dover revitalization.
On weekends, The Hive has been a popular place for baby and bridal showers. It has even been the backdrop for a “microwedding,” Boyd says. The facility has also hosted salsa classes and a Small Business Saturday shopping event.
Customers can also just rent the room and handle the details themselves. Or they can tap Boyd’s planning expertise. “We provide a turnkey service from beginning to end, so all you have to do is walk in and start talking,” she says. Services include catering, room layout, lighting, décor, and cleanup.
If the group exceeds The Hive’s limits, Boyd will happily manage the event at another site, such as Bally’s Dover Casino Resort or the Modern Maturity Center. “We’re big on synergy and collaboration,” she says. “We develop partnerships with event planners, photographers, and entertainers in our area.”
Boyd’s team will also provide brand support through printed materials and websites that promote the event. Still to come: a membership program that gives participants access to workshops, social experiences, and networking.
It’s easy to see why it’s hard to pin Boyd down these days. Between The Hive and her own projects, she is one busy bee—and she couldn’t be happier.
For information on The Hive, visit thldover.com or call 579-1440.
Related: What to Do in Dover: A Day Trip Guide to Delaware’s State Capital
