Arnie Lepp wins best new business award

The awards keep coming for Arnie Lepp’s Spirit in Niagara Distillery on Lakeshore Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The just over two-year-old distillery and restaurant was named Niagara’s Outstanding New Business at the Niagara Business Achievement Awards last Thursday. 

It’s the third region-wide award for Lepp, following a 2022 Award of Excellence for Architecture at the Niagara Biennial Awards and a 2021 Award of Merit from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for the small batch producer’s commitment to using otherwise discarded, damaged fruit to make its spirits. 

Add those awards to the dozen or so that have been won for specific products in Spirit in Niagara’s lines of gins, vodkas, bourbons and eaux de vie, and the trophy shelf at the entrance is filling up fast. 

“This one is the most rewarding on a personal level,” Lepp tells The Local about the outstanding new business in Niagara award.

“A lot goes into starting a new business. I think all those in the category were worthy of the award. I know we are making some great products here, and we are offering some great food at our restaurant. It’s really a team effort that led to this one.”