The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) recently announced that through its supplier CTS Distribution, Hardy Cognac has brought La Fayette Cognac to Cumberland County as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to his namesake city on March 4, 1825. This is the first time La Fayette Cognac has been available for purchase in North Carolina.
Founded in 1863 by Anthony Hardy, Hardy Cognac has a storied history of producing quality spirits in elegantly crafted bottles. Under the umbrella of H. Mounier, fifth-generation cognac producer Benedicte Hardy has expanded the Hardy line into the United States. She is proud to bring La Fayette cognac to Fayetteville for the first time.
Benedicte Hardy shared in a press release that “it is a pleasure and honor to see the La Fayette cognacs in Fayetteville. Naming a cognac after the Marquis is an homage to his fight and his belief that the United States had to stand free and tall in the world. Long live Fayetteville and the Marquis de La Fayette cognacs.”
La Fayette cognacs are available at five Fayetteville area ABC stores: Westwood Shopping Center, Hope Mills, Ramsey Commons, Raeford Road and Owen Drive.
David Horne, the CEO and General Manager of the Cumberland County ABC Board and Greg Stallings, Director of Products and Pricing for the NC ABC Commission, worked with a dedicated local team throughout the approval process. Kris Johnson, a volunteer with the Fayetteville St. Avold Friendship Alliance, made the original introduction to Hardy Cognac. Rob Patton, Executive Vice President of the FCEDC, connected the Hardy team to the NC ABC Commission and relied on the help of District 44 State Representative Charles Smith of Cumberland County to facilitate the connections to ensure availability in the area.
“What a fitting partnership to celebrate the legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette, promote the 200th Anniversary of his visit to Fayetteville, and honor our relationship with our sister city, St. Avold, France,” said Kris Johnson in a press release.
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