Temagami Dry is making a comeback

This week, Ian Campbell catches up with what's going on in the Municipality of Temagami with Mayor Dan O'Mara for another edition of the Mayor's Chair.

For generations, it was part of a northern Ontario lifestyle and now, Temagami Dry is poised to make a comeback.

A team of private investors, working with the Municipality of Temagami, is breathing new life into one of the most treasured traditions along Highway 11. The northeastern Ontario municipality acquired the trademark rights to the brand in 2020.

In a news release, the team of Sully Sullivan, Mike Perreault, Jeff Hodge and Jean Beauchemin, is promising that the new relaunch will be more than just nostalgia; it’ll be produced in northern Ontario and every bottle sold will support tourism development and local, long-term jobs in the region.

“We’ve got the launch, it’ll be in North Bay on Feb. 26,” said Temagami Mayor Dan O’Mara in a recent Mayor’s Chair interview with CTV Northern Ontario.

“It’s a new company that bought it, the Canadian Shield Beverage Company. Temagami Dry was known, and it is known, and we’re so excited to get that back on the market.”

The company plans on starting with the original flavours of original ginger ale, zero sugar and cream soda.

“From the drink, to the swag, every part of the brand is a way to support northern communities,” the company said on its launch invitation.

A new website has been launched, highlighting the drink’s comeback and where people can find more information about the product.

Temagami Dry was first bottled in North Bay in 1919.

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