Featured Companies

Black Fly Beverage Company

2010-08-01

July 14, 2010 – Black Fly Beverage Company has been named the most recent recipient of the Featured Company of London Award by the City of London and London Economic Development Corporation, recognizing their success, growth and impact on the London economy.

Ontario’s first micro-distillery, Black Fly Beverage Company was founded in May 2005 by husband and wife team Rob Kelly and Cathy Siskind-Kelly in an historic bank building in downtown London. Black Fly’s vision was to create MORE NATURAL and LESS SWEET premium Ontario spirit beverages. The company was awarded the first distillery license granted in Ontario in 100 years.

With the support of the community, municipality and devoted employees, Black Fly set out to live up to the iconic Canadian insect after which the company is named. In the highly competitive beverage alcohol industry that is dominated by global companies and imports, Black Fly worked to come in under the radar deliver a mighty bite.

Early distribution to LCBO stores was small; to just a handful of London stores, but expanded product lines and distribution soon followed, requiring a move to a larger facility in east London.

National media took notice of this unique Canadian story. Terrance Belford of the National Post called Black Fly coolers “distinctly Canadian” . . . and noted, “The black fly is the major pollinator for blueberries, that quintessential Canadian fruit. And cranberries share equal status as a symbol of woodsy Canada. Mix them together, stir in some spirits, bottle them all in wide-mouthed plastic, recyclable bottles and you have a drink as Canadian as free health care and street hockey.”

Today Black Fly’s innovative premium vodka and tequila beverages are sold in over 500 LCBO’s in Ontario and a further 500 stores in 6 additional provinces across Canada. Black Fly has recently begun exporting to Hong Kong.

Cathy Siskind-Kelly is extremely appreciative of this business recognition and honour. “For a company like Black Fly to thrive in such a competitive industry requires municipal and community support on many levels. We are deeply appreciative of the support of LEDC, the Corporation of the City of London, and of so many Londoners who contribute to Black Fly’s success.”

Accepting the award at City Council on Monday, July 19^th at 5:00pm are co-founders Rob Kelly and Cathy Siskind-Kelly.

Contact:

Cathy Siskind-Kelly
Co-Founder
Tel: 519-667-1555
Email: info@blackflycoolers.com