Meet the Canadian Rebels Who Want to Transform the Ordinary into Moments of Joy.


“We were basically shaking our fists at the idea of Father Time sneaking up on us,” says CEO Eric Fallon,  “While we still couldn’t find the products we were looking for.”  That’s how the Rebel’s Refinery brand got started by Fallon and his two best friends, Elan Marks and Justin Maclean, in Toronto.

The team took matters into their own hands, deciding to start what would become a men’s grooming brand. They found their way onto the Canadian entrepreneurial television show Dragon’s Den.

“Kevin O’Leary was a ‘Dragon’ at the time and walked off within the first 10 minutes of our pitch,” Fallon recalls. They ended up landing a deal with another of the Dragons, Arlene Dickinson, and used the money to create their first shaped lip balm – the Skull.
The Rebel’s Refinery brand is literally built on creativity, from its innovative packaging to its quality raw materials and hand-picked essential oils.

“There is still nothing we love more than dropping new innovations and seeing if you all freak out!” says Fallon, “We want to see you smile and get excited whenever you hold one of our items. We used to think motorcycles and being edgy was cool (motorcycles still are – sorry Mom!), but now we understand that being happy is the new cool. That’s why our new tagline is transforming the ordinary into moments of joy.”

 

Look for rebellious products like Cactus, Ice Cream or Pineapple lip balms, Rehab Roller Under Eye Moisturizer and Dirty Boy Bamboo Face & Body Wipes at your local London Drugs. Then let your inner rebel share the Canadian joy!

Caprina – The Canadian brand that brought the moisturizing power of fresh goat’s milk soap from the farm to the mainstream.


When Canus Founder and President André Bearegard first started researching goat’s milk skin care products in the early 90’s, the rare and expensive milk was not only hard to find for beauty products, but also had a shelf life that was limited to just six months. With the help of research and development, the company has developed over the years a proven technique that transfers the hydrating properties of fresh goat’s milk to its skincare lines while increasing the products’ shelf life to 5 years.

Two decades later, Caprina is now one of Canada’s top selling soap lines.

Local farmers, local community.

“At our brand new facility in Drummondville Quebec, we work with fresh goat’s milk from local Canadian farmers,” says Beauregard, “For us it’s very important to be involved with our local community, giving farmers the opportunity to use their fresh milk to produce quality products.”

Looking for a better moisturizing soap? Canadian goats are ready to help.

Goat’s milk has long been considered one of nature’s most effective moisturizers.

“The secret is in its ‘bipolar’ molecular structure,” Beauregard says, “It cleanses without stripping away the natural moisture barriers of our skin.” This helps make Caprina products natural and gentle enough to use for the whole family.

Caprina products are also recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Review Panel, and recognized to be effective complements to skin therapy for people with psoriasis and eczema.

London Drugs is proud to carry a range of Caprina products, including bar soap, body wash, liquid hand soap and foam bath.

Pedro’s Organic– how one farmer inspired a passion for great coffee from Canadian roots to farms around the world

The story of this Canadian brand began with a single farmer in South America. Born into a coffee-growing family, Pedro learned about coffee from the ground up – literally. He saw first-hand the effects of spraying chemicals on the coffee trees – on birds, insects and workers. That’s why he decided to dedicate his energies to organic production and standing up for the rights of his fellow farmers.

After hearing this story of passion and commitment, founders Bill Szeremeta and Rama Dehgan were deeply inspired – that’s when Pedro’s Organic Coffee was born.

Famous in Canadian foodservice, now available on local shelves

For over 30 years, Pedro’s has been recognized for excellence in the foodservice industry, serving hotels, restaurant chains, coffee bars, golf courses and ski resorts throughout Canada. Now this family-owned and operated Canadian brand is available in stores and London Drugs is proud to be one of Pedro’s most dedicated retailers. Choose from exotic varieties such as Equator Blend and Rainforest Espresso, perfect served hot or over ice.

Pedro’s takes their Canadian values right through the whole supply chain

“The direction we’re headed is simple,” says Bill Szeremeta, Owner of Pedro’s Organic Coffee, “We want a safe future in a protected environment. We set a high standard for ourselves and use our family values as a compass. Pedro’s Organic Coffee is proud to be a Canadian company that supports the local economy by utilizing the resources and tools around us.”

The team at Pedro’s never forgets their namesake – and that Pedro represents all the hard-working, trusted farmers who grow their high-quality organic coffee beans. It’s a recipe that leads to great results all the way to your morning cup. “Be passionate about the work you’re doing. It will be a long and challenging road,” Szeremeta says, “But if you truly believe in the product, it will pay off in the end.” We’ll toast to that.

Sports Medicine products designed for Canadians, by Canadians.

Whether it’s hockey, curling, skiing or hiking, Canadians like their sports. For over 20 years, Trainer’s Choice has been focused on helping Canadians perform at their best and stay healthy at the same time. “Many Canadians suffer from nagging injuries with constant pain and do not seek treatment,” says Trainers Choice founder and president, Rick Schaly. “We look to find solutions that will supplement their treatment options.”

The roots of Trainer’s Choice extend back 20 years to a thriving small town sports medicine clinic. Since then, the brand has expanded to dominate its market niche as the frontrunner in the Canadian Sports Medicine Product and Appliance industry. Trainers Choice connects with Canadian orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, athletic therapists, and sports medicine doctors, to design functional, supportive, and comfortable products, from knee stabilizers to wrist braces, lumbar supports and more.

Rick Schaly, President of Trainers Choice, explains the unique role the company’s Canadian roots play in their product development. “The field testing is unique where designers themselves test products in their Canadian practice,” Schlay says, “We also put them on athletes and industry professionals for serious situational testing.” Relationships with the Toronto Rock Lacrosse team and the Hamilton Tie Cats show just how effective the Trainers Choice approach has been. So whatever Canadian activity you pursue, if you are looking for sports medicine support, the choice is clear.

Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Sprague Foods

Sprague Foods. Made in Canada since 1925.

In 1925, J. Grant Sprague built his first cannery in the village of Mountain View, Ontario, naming it J.G. Sprague & Sons Canning Co. They have been canning in the Prince Edward County region ever since. During the 1920’s and 30’s, canned goods from the Mountain View plant were shipped via boat from Belleville and Picton to Montreal, Toronto, and even Western Canada. In 2009, Rick Sprague, Grant’s great-grandson, became Sprague Foods’ fourth generation president. Rick has steered the business toward a focus on healthy foods with natural ingredients.

London Drugs is proud to carry a delicious range of Sprague Organic Soups, including Organic Tuscany Minestrone, Organic Lentil & Vegetable, Organic Tomato Red Pepper and Organic Sweet Potato Curry.

 

All Sprague products are pressure-cooked for preservation in 100% BPA-free packaging, and their organic certified products contain no preservatives.

“Having been around for so long as a canner, we know from experience that Canadian farmers grow the best organic crops on the planet,” says Rick Sprague, “This is why we only use 100% Canadian-grown organic beans and lentils in our delicious pantry-friendly organic soups. Grown in Canada, canned in Canada, for Canadians. And future Canadians, too!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Silver Hills

For a real Canadian treat, check out this Silver Hills plant-based Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe.

From an idea sprouted in Lumby, BC, Silver Hills Bread is now a Canadian classic from coast to coast.

When Silver Hills co-founder Brad Brousson was a boy, his mom baked bread with sprouted whole grains from a family recipe. Years later, Brad was attending a health retreat at the Silver Hills Guesthouse in Lumby, BC, and decided he should bake some for the other guests there. This quickly expanded into a full-time project, so Brad partnered with friends Stan and Kathy Smith, and Silver Hills Sprouted Bakery was born.

 

 

“Thirty years ago, if you were organic, you were a bit crazy,” says Stan Smith. “But now there’s a lot of people who are crazy along with us. I think the healthy food community is looking for companies to provide new ideas and solutions and we look forward to being part of that and to discovering ways to make it easier to eat healthy.”

The health difference begins with the sprout. This early growth of the plant unlocks iron, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and other important vitamins and minerals, and makes the seeds easier to digest. Sprouted whole grains also offer a healthy, slow-release carb to give your body steady energy.

 

 

All of Silver Hills’ 100% plant-based products are made with nutrient-rich, high-fibre whole grains sprouted in clean, cold Canadian water. Each ingredient is guaranteed non-GMO.

 

Silver Hills Bakery soon outgrew its humble home in the North Okanagan and moved the entire sprouted bakery to Abbotsford in 2002. They’ve been a Proudly Canadian part of the community ever since, and London Drugs is proud to feature their breads across Western Canada.

“When we began the bakery, the sole intent was to aid people in their quest for health,” reflects Brad. “It makes me feel very fulfilled to know that all of the effort and all of the sacrifice that went into making Silver Hills what it is today is really contributing to someone’s happiness, and someone’s health.”

 

 

London Drugs Proudly Canadian Brand Series – Raincoast Trading

First Nations owned Raincoast takes Canadian snacking to a whole new level. On the pristine coast of Vancouver Island, the ocean has been a giver of life for generations. Here, Raincoast Trading (part of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Seafood enterprise) creates its famed Salmon Jerky, made from 100% wild caught salmon. This hook & line fishing method helps protect other ocean species and ensures 100% traceability from the boat to the package. The ingredient list is refreshingly pure too, including minced wild chum and/or pink salmon, organic sugar, sea salt, canola oil , spices and natural hardwood smoke. That’s it!

The company that makes these delicious products has been a family-run Canadian west coast institution for over 50 years. After gaining international attention for their products at Expo 86 in Vancouver, St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse expanded with a number of depots in the Lower Mainland and the Vancouver Island communities of Campbell River and Port Alberni. They also acquired Raincoast Trading, highly respected for their sustainable fishing practices and connections with retail markets in the USA and Canada.

In 2015, ownership of these enterprises was transferred to the Nuu-chah-nulth – five Indigenous nations. With a long and proud history as stewards and participants in BC’s seafood economy, the Nuu-Chah-nulth are committed to ensuring these gifts that the ocean gives us will be cherished and passed along in good health to our grandchildren’s grandchildren. Now Raincoast also offers their Global line of Skipjack Tuna products, using fish caught in the Maldives, with the same dedication to sustainability and quality. So the next time you reach for a snack, have a taste of Canadian history, and toast to our shared future.

 

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