'It's been really good': Vodka distillery in Sask. community of Asquith helping to revitalize town
SoSo Beverage Co. has been in business distributing vodka throughout the province for five months, but its goals go beyond serving a refreshing drink.
“Wanted to find a town, somewhere around Saskatoon that we could help start to revitalize,” said Barry Williams, co-founder of SoSo Beverage Co.
Barry and his business partner and brother Terry Williams settled on Asquith.
“We had a meeting and the townspeople came out and they agreed that we should have a distillery here in town,” said Barry.
The brothers bought a 4000 square foot, 100-year-old building in 2020 and then after a year and a half of renovations, it opened in 2022 and began selling its vodka in June.
“It's been really good to get through all the different aspects of the business. So actually to start selling the product now has been exciting,” said Terry.
Currently, the only product it sells is Bigfoot Vodka, available at 100 stores throughout the province with several different sizing options.
“We are committed now to bring new products to the market as the market really requires some innovative ideas,” said Terry.
Beyond the vodka it distributes the Williams brothers are trying to inject some spirit into the community. In the summer it held two pancake breakfasts which brought out over 250 people each time.
“It’s nice to have businesses come to small town Saskatchewan. We need businesses here to survive, to grow, to flourish and they were just a perfect fit for that location,” said Asquith Hotel owner, Jackie Stobbe.
Looking ahead, the distillery wants to expand its reach within the province, selling its product at more stores. As the business grows, it hopes it can start to employ people from the community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.