Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal opts for local black cherry soda as U.S. tariffs bite – and customers won’t look back

Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal opts for local black cherry soda as U.S. tariffs bite – and customers won’t look back MARIEKE GLORIEUX-STRYCKMAN MONTREAL THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO Open this photo in gallery: Smoked meat sandwiches and poutine wait to be served next to a can of Canadian-made Fleischer's black cherry soda, which replaced a long-used Cott's drink at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal. CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV/THE CANADIAN PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. On a typical summer day at Schwartz’s Deli, in Montreal, there’s a lineup at the door as tourists and locals wait to get their smoked-meat sandwich. But now, something has changed. For decades, customers would be able to order a can of Cott’s Black Cherry Soda alongside their sandwich. While Cott’s used to be a local brand, it was bought out in 2018 by a multinational beverage company, Refresco, which said it has stopped production of the drink in Canada. The supply change has prompted the iconic smoked-meat deli to to turn to a local made-in-Quebec alternative, Fleischer’s Original Black Cherry Soda. At Schwartz's Deli in Montreal, the traditional Cott’s black cherry soda customers have drank for decades has disappeared after falling victim to tariffs, and been replaced by a local alternative. THE CANADIAN PRESS This comes as a growing cohort of businesses embrace a Buy Canadian mantra in a landscape disrupted by tariffs and the trade war with the United States. And some customers at the Montreal landmark smoked-meat shop seem to be enthusiastic about the newest item on the menu. “It’s always good to support locally,” said Liam Keenan, who was visiting from Toronto and getting ready to tackle the classic Schwartz’s trio: smoked-meat sandwich, pickle, and black cherry soda. Keenan had been to Schwartz’s once before. He said he noticed the canned drink looked different this time, but that it still tasted great. Open this photo in gallery: A Schwartz’s customer drinks a can of Fleischer’s black cherry soda. Cott's discontinued its version of the drink in Canada partly as a result of U.S. tariffs on aluminum. CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV/THE CANADIAN PRESS Originally, Cott’s Black Cherry Soda was made in Montreal. It had been part of Schwartz’s history since its early years, almost a century ago. “People appreciated (it) being local and different and a little sweet, with the…