NORTH BAY — The Municipality of Temagami now owns the trademark rights to 'Temagami Dry' ginger ale and is now looking at how best to market the soft drink.
Temagami Dry was being bottled by Fortier Beverages in Cochrane, but the company decided to discontinue the product. The municipality, then scooped up the opportunity.
"I was told 'Dan, don't put in on the shelf, just go with it,'" said Temagami Mayor Dan O'Mara. "It's time to get this product back to where it belongs as a major product in northern Ontario."
The municipality held an official ceremony Saturday where representatives of Fortier Beverages handed the secret recipe and trademark to the mayor. The company sold the drink for $7,500.
A group of citizens, including Bill Kitts, stepped up to cover the cost, so taxpayers wouldn't have to pay for the transfer.
"I actually liked the cream soda under the Temagami Dry name when I was a kid," said Kitts. "It was well known and well asked for."
The drink has been bottled and sold in the region since 1916.
Fortier Beverages was having issues getting it produced in what it described as a "struggling soft drink market."
But, the company sees a bright future for the drink, if it's used right.
"There's absolutely a future," said Raymond Fortier of Fortier Beverages. "We will supply information to the town and our experience in the soft drink business."
There are several options on the table: the municipality could license the production of the drink, but could also expand the product, creating more opportunities.
O'Mara suggested looking at spring water.
"There's the whole concept of spring water," said O'Mara. "We would also love a major pop company to come here and take over the brand. All we would ask for is a little royalty to help support our community. Let's put Temagami Dry back on the map."
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli believes the town will greatly benefit from the purchase.
"It's a great opportunity to create jobs and as Minister of Economic Development and Job Creation, this is real opportunity," Fedeli said. "Let's look for a used bottling plant with a small line to get started. Our ministry will help."
O'Mara says he has heard several ideas regarding the drink's future.
Council plans to discuss the drink's future at its next meeting in hopes of getting the bubbly drink bottled again.
