(FILE PHOTO: Paul Meek with his Harvey & Vern’s Old Fashioned Root Beer at Quitters Coffee. Photo by Barry Gray.)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Stittsville’s Paul Meek shared this note https://www.kbeer.ca/blogs/kichesippi-blog/harvey-and-verns-olde-fashioned-soda-has-been-sold today. Paul and his family also own Kichesippi Beer. We profiled Paul back in November 2014.)
As of Friday February 9, 2018 we have officially sold our sister company, Harvey and Vern’s Olde Fashioned Soda.
We first launched this brand back in May 2013 and have learned a lot about soda, pop, grocery stores, artisan cocktails and many other great experiences. We realized late in 2017 that we had taken these products as far as we could, and that new ownership was the proper decision.
Our goal from the beginning was to create a product that honoured two great men, Harvey Ross and Vernon MacDonald. Yes, Harvey and Vern were actually names of real people.
Harvey is my grandfather and was a farmer in Bristol, Quebec before passing away on Christmas day 1985.
Vern is my father in law and is an Optometrist originally from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Vern still enjoys the occasional soda while enjoying retirement in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
These two great men reminded us of tradition and authenticity, and these were the main attributes we hope were experienced with our products.
The new owners, are B2 Brands (Newport Gourmet Foods and Cousins Market) and they are based in Mississauga. They have been our Toronto distributor for the last 4 years and are very familiar with the brand. We wish them the best of luck with our sodas and know that they will do a great job.
In closing, thank you all so much for supporting our products. We have so many people to thank for the success of Harvey and Vern’s and enjoyed working with all of you during this adventure.