During the late-1800s, Shanly was home to two cheese factories. The first factory was constructed on the east-side of County Road 22 around forty rods north from the village's main intersection, and was operated by two local men. The cheese from the first factory was shipped to Brockville for sale. It is unclear when exactly the first cheese factory was constructed or closed. The structure was demolished sometime after its closure. The second cheese factory was constructed east of the intersection, and was built around 1890. The second factory was called the Shanly Cheese Factory and operated for over 50 years. According to a statement from 1910, the factory had produced 21,337 pounds of cheese in the month of September. In 1901, the Shanly Cheese Factory received recognition at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York for its quality product. The second factory was originally owned by multiple shareholders before being sold off to an individual named Thomas Johnston at an unknown date. Johnston owned the cheese factory until its closure. In August 1952, the Shanly Cheese Factory was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt.