K-Pop, Bees, and Rebirth: Queens Mall Reimagines Earth Day

By Nancy Torres

QUEENS, NY – March 26, 2026 – In a novel fusion of global pop culture and local environmentalism, The Shops at Skyview is set to transform the traditional Earth Day celebration into a vibrant cultural festival. The upcoming “Planet in Bloom” event, scheduled for April 15, promises an unlikely yet compelling combination: the chart-topping K-pop group Everglow, a colony of 7,500 rooftop honeybees, and a community-driven focus on sustainability and renewal.

This unique gathering positions the Queens shopping center not just as a retail destination, but as a dynamic hub for community engagement, illustrating a broader trend of commercial spaces redefining their role in the urban landscape. The free event aims to draw a diverse crowd, uniting K-pop fans, eco-conscious families, and local residents through a series of interactive and educational experiences.

A New Code for Community Engagement

At the heart of “Planet in Bloom” is a hands-on approach to environmental education. The event, running from 3–7 p.m., will feature several themed activations designed to make sustainability tangible and exciting. A central highlight is the “Pollinator Lab,” an initiative that brings the mall’s often-unseen ecological efforts into the spotlight. Visitors will have the chance to learn about urban beekeeping and even sample honey harvested directly from the rooftop hives that The Shops at Skyview has maintained since 2022.

"Since 2022, The Shops at Skyview has partnered with Alvéole to install rooftop beehives housing more than 7,500 honeybees. This initiative supports urban biodiversity while helping the community better understand the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem," said Wesley Sin, Senior Marketing Manager of Acadia Realty Trust, the owner of the shopping center.

This commitment extends to other workshops, including the “Honeycomb Atelier,” where participants can craft their own candles from natural beeswax. Further blending art with recycling, the “Sky Garden” will showcase a large-scale floral installation built from recycled materials, a collaborative project with art students from the local Francis Lewis High School. Adding another layer of practical sustainability, the “ReBloom Studio” will offer attendees a station to refresh and mend gently used apparel, promoting a circular fashion economy.

These initiatives reflect a strategic pivot in the retail industry, where shopping centers are increasingly functioning as modern-day public squares. By creating experiences that foster learning, creativity, and social responsibility, centers like Skyview are building deeper connections with their communities and proving that their value extends far beyond commercial transactions.

Everglow's Rebirth and a 'Kindness Drive'

The event’s star power comes from the special appearance of the internationally acclaimed K-pop group Everglow. Their participation is particularly poignant, as the group is currently navigating a significant period of transformation. In 2025, Everglow re-formed as a four-member group under a new agency, CHXXTA Company, after their contracts with their previous label concluded. This new chapter is marked by the release of their latest album, “Code,” and a global tour, with their New York concert scheduled just two days after the Queens event.

For Everglow, the “Planet in Bloom” theme of renewal and rebirth is not just a slogan; it mirrors their own professional journey. Their appearance provides a platform to connect with their dedicated fanbase, known as FOREVER, in a uniquely meaningful context. The group will also spearhead the “Everglow Kindness Drive,” encouraging fans and attendees to donate gently used spring clothing. This initiative, organized in partnership with the Queens Borough President's Office, will directly benefit families in need across the borough.

"Planet in Bloom at The Shops at Skyview promises to be a great way to bring together community, sustainability, and culture in honor of Earth Day," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I would like to welcome K-pop group Everglow to Queens as the event's special guest. I'm glad to support community organizations who do tremendous work directly in our neighborhoods to uplift families in need."

The drive deepens the event’s philanthropic impact, leveraging the influence of global celebrities for local good. A special display featuring artist-redesigned clothing donated by the members of Everglow will also be on view, linking the worlds of fashion, music, and charity.

The Buzz in Urban Ecosystems

While the glamour of K-pop may be the main draw for many, the buzzing heart of the event’s environmental message lies on the roof. The shopping center’s long-standing beekeeping program is part of a growing movement to integrate apiaries into urban landscapes across New York City. Far from being a novelty, urban beekeeping is a critical tool for supporting metropolitan biodiversity.

Pollinators like honeybees are essential for the health of urban green spaces, from public parks and community gardens to the flowering plants on residential balconies. By hosting hives, The Shops at Skyview contributes to this delicate ecological network, helping to ensure the pollination of plant life throughout the surrounding area. The “Pollinator Lab” serves as a crucial educational bridge, demystifying the role of these vital insects and dispelling common fears. By offering a taste of hyperlocal honey, the center provides a delicious and direct connection between the urban environment and the food system.

This initiative places the shopping center within a city-wide conversation about creating more sustainable and resilient urban environments. It demonstrates how large-scale commercial properties can utilize their existing infrastructure—in this case, an empty rooftop—to become active participants in local conservation efforts, turning underutilized space into a productive micro-habitat.

By bringing together a global music phenomenon, hyper-local ecological action, and grassroots community service, “Planet in Bloom” offers a compelling blueprint for the future of public engagement. It showcases a world where a trip to the mall can also be an opportunity to learn about bees, participate in a clothing drive, and see an international pop group, proving that meaningful connections can bloom in the most unexpected of places.