Local favourite returns to a Quebec-made soda amid shifting supply chains
At Schwartz’s Deli, the line for smoked-meat sandwiches looks the same as it has for decades, but the canned drink beside the plate is different. The legendary Montreal deli has replaced the familiar can of Cott’s Black Cherry Soda with a local alternative — Fleischer’s Original Black Cherry Soda — after the original product was taken off the market in Canada.
The change reflects broader pressures on North American supply chains and beverage production decisions. Cott’s Black Cherry, once made locally and long associated with Schwartz’s dining experience, is no longer being produced in Canada following a corporate acquisition and subsequent production changes.
Refresco, the multinational company that bought Cott’s in 2018, has stopped making the drink in Canada, leaving Schwartz’s to find a replacement that preserves a piece of the deli’s history. Management turned to Fleischer’s, a Quebec-made soda, to keep the traditional trio — smoked meat, pickle and black cherry soda — on offer to customers.
“It’s always good to support locally,” said Liam Keenan, a visitor from Toronto. “I noticed the canned drink looked different this time, but it still tasted great.”
Frank Silva, general manager at Schwartz’s, said customers had long valued the pairing of smoked meat and black cherry soda, describing the drink as a slightly sweet complement that worked well with the spices of the sandwich. He explained the decision to discontinue the canned version of Cott’s was influenced in part by rising aluminium costs tied to U.S. tariffs.
Schwartz’s also noted changes to the provincial recycling deposit system introduced in 2023 — a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers — had altered the marketplace for certain sizes and formats of canned drinks, further complicating supply for specific niche flavours.
What this means for customers and local suppliers
The swap highlights a few practical and cultural consequences for Montreal consumers and businesses:
- Preservation of local flavour profile: Schwartz’s sought a drink that complements smoked meat and retains a sense of culinary continuity.
- Support for Quebec producers: Choosing a locally made soda keeps supply chains shorter and supports regional manufacturing.
- Impact of trade policy and costs: Tariffs and higher aluminium prices contributed to the discontinuation of a once-local product.
Some patrons welcomed the change. Keenan, who said he had visited the deli previously, told staff he appreciated the local choice. Others may notice subtle differences in taste and packaging, but management is betting that the spirit of the experience — the smoked meat sandwich paired with a sweet black cherry soda — remains intact.
| Brand | Origin | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Cott’s Black Cherry | Originally Montreal; now owned by Refresco | Production stopped in Canada |
| Fleischer’s Original Black Cherry | Made in Quebec | Adopted by Schwartz’s as replacement |
For Schwartz’s, the change underscores how a single menu item can be linked to broader economic trends. The deli’s choice to move to a local producer is consistent with a growing movement among Canadian businesses to favour domestic suppliers, whether driven by cost, availability or customer preferences.
While some Montrealers will notice the swap in the canned label, the deli intends to keep the classic combination on offer and to lean into the local provenance of the new soda. As tourists and long-time patrons continue to line up on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the menu tweak is a reminder of how even small, everyday items connect to regional manufacturing, trade policy and the preservation of culinary traditions.
Schwartz’s remains a gathering place for Montrealers and visitors alike. By choosing a Quebec-made soda, the deli is signalling a preference for local supply chains in the face of shifting international production decisions — a modest change with symbolic and practical weight for a city that prizes its culinary heritage.
