Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hunt.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Joe and I started The Hive as a catering company, focused on bringing people together over thoughtful, from-scratch food. Most of our work was centered around weddings and private gatherings, and being invited into those moments shaped everything for us. We were never just thinking about what was on the plate, but how it made people feel, how it fit into a larger memory.
From the beginning, it was rooted in farm-to-table values. We built relationships with local farms and purveyors, and cared deeply about where our ingredients came from. It felt important that the food reflected the place we live and supported the community around us.
Over time, we started to feel the pull toward something more permanent. We wanted to create a space where that same feeling could exist any day of the week, not just on special occasions. Somewhere people could walk into and immediately feel comfortable, like they belonged there.
That’s how The Hive Social Club came to life. We envisioned it as a community hub, a place to gather, share a meal, have a drink, and slow down for a bit. The food still carries our catering roots, seasonal, locally driven, and made with care, but the space allowed us to expand on what we loved most about those early days.
As it’s grown, it’s become more layered. With The Hardware Store downstairs and a continued focus on shared experiences, it’s evolved into something that offers different ways to connect, while still holding onto that original intention of creating a place that feels like home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been far from a smooth road.
We opened the restaurant in September of 2020, so from the very beginning we were navigating the challenges of Covid. There was a lot of uncertainty, constant pivots, and moments where we were just trying to figure things out day by day.
Not long after we opened, the building owner let us know she was planning to sell. That was a big moment for us. We knew we weren’t finished building what The Hive Social could be, and thankfully my mom and grandma stepped in and decided to invest in the property. They purchased the building, and now we lease from them, which gave us the stability to keep going.
But owning and operating out of a historic building brings its own set of challenges. It’s beautiful and full of character, but it’s also meant ongoing projects, unexpected issues, and what feels like years of continuous construction.
There have been a lot of moments that tested us, but each challenge has also shaped what this place has become. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s always felt worth continuing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At our core, we focus on thoughtful, from-scratch food and creating a space where people genuinely want to spend time. That’s always been the through line, whether it was catering or the restaurant. We care a lot about sourcing, about supporting local ecosystems, and about making food that feels both intentional and approachable.
But what we do goes beyond just the food. We’ve always seen The Hive Social as a place for connection. A place where people celebrate, gather, and mark moments, big and small.
What I’m most proud of, without hesitation, is the team we’ve built. Our management team has grown with us over the years, and they care about this place in a way that you can’t teach. That’s what allows everything else to work.
And alongside that, the community that’s formed around us. We’ve been lucky enough to be part of so many memories, not just our own, but our guests’. First dates, anniversaries, celebrations, quiet dinners, even hard days. Life has happened here, and being a small part of that means everything to us.
I think what sets us apart is that we’ve never tried to be just one thing. We’ve always followed what felt right, building something layered and a little personal, while staying rooted in our values. People can feel that when they walk in, and I think that’s what keeps them coming back.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
We really love our city. There’s a strong sense of community here, and people genuinely show up for one another. You see it in small ways every day, and in bigger ways when it really matters. That kind of support is something we don’t take for granted.
There’s also so much pride in what’s being created here, from small businesses to local farms and makers. It feels collaborative rather than competitive, and that’s a big part of why we’ve been able to grow the way we have.
If there’s one thing, it’s that Portland tends to get most of the attention when it comes to the food scene. There’s so much talent and creativity happening here as well, and I think sometimes it gets overlooked.
But in a way, that’s also part of what makes this community special. It still feels a little like a hidden gem.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehivecatering.com/social
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehivesocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehivesocialclub
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehardwarestoreoc
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thehardwarestoreoc/
