Winnipeggers, we’ve officially made it to South Korea! Tim Hortons locations across South Korea are currently running a new campaign that puts Winnipeg front and centre, celebrating the city’s connection to one of Canada’s most famous bears: Winnie the Pooh.
The promotion has brought a little bit of Winnipeg to Tim Hortons locations across the country, with posters, promotional videos and plenty of Canadian-themed branding taking over participating restaurants.
And, of course, there’s even a Winnipeg-inspired drink!
The Winnipeg Cherry Chocolate Iced Capp
The star of the promotion is the Winnipeg Cherry Chocolate Iced Capp, a limited-time drink available at participating Tim Hortons locations in South Korea.
The drink combines cherry and chocolate flavours, creating a sweet Black Forest-inspired flavour profile. The Winnipeg connection comes from the story behind Winnie the Pooh and the black bear cub that was named after our city.
It’s definitely a unique way to celebrate Winnipeg — and one that you probably won’t find on the menu at your local Winnipeg Tim Hortons.
Why Is Winnie the Pooh Named After Winnipeg?
The connection between Winnipeg and Winnie the Pooh goes all the way back to 1914.
Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a soldier and veterinarian from Winnipeg, purchased a black bear cub in White River, Ontario, while travelling to a military training camp.
Colebourn named the bear Winnipeg, after his hometown. The name was eventually shortened to “Winnie.”
Winnie travelled with Colebourn to England during the First World War. When Colebourn returned to the front, Winnie stayed at the London Zoo, where she became a popular attraction.
One of her biggest fans was a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne. He loved Winnie so much that he named his stuffed teddy bear after her.
Christopher Robin’s father, author A.A. Milne, would eventually use the name when creating the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories.
So, while Winnie the Pooh may be associated with the Hundred Acre Wood today, the character’s name has a pretty strong Winnipeg connection.
Quick Facts About Winnie and Winnipeg
| Historical Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Bear | Canadian black bear |
| Purchased By | Lieutenant Harry Colebourn |
| Name | Winnipeg, shortened to Winnie |
| Named After | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Zoo | London Zoo, England |
| Famous Fan | Christopher Robin Milne |
| Inspired | Winnie-the-Pooh |
For Winnipeggers, it’s pretty cool to see our city being used as the inspiration for a Tim Hortons promotion thousands of kilometres away.
And while we might not get the Winnipeg Cherry Chocolate Iced Capp here at home, it’s another reminder that Winnipeg’s connection to Winnie the Pooh is known around the world.
