Local businesses find silver lining to ongoing border closure
The Canada-U.S. border has been closed for 16 months, and while many are eager to see the border open again, some local businesses say they are seeing a boost in business thanks to the closure.
“I couldn’t believe it when I pulled in, I thought it was going to be empty, but it’s actually busy here,” says shopper John Spadafora.
That's a sentiment echoed by shoppers and business owners alike.
“Right now it’s been crazy actually,“ says owner of Freeds Windsor, Ari Freed.
Canadians remain unable to enter the U.S. for non-essential purposes like shopping and dining, and local businesses are reaping the rewards.
“Since we reopened, the pent up demand it’s just going full steam ahead with customers coming in,” says Freed.
“We’ve been crazy busy. Our Friday and Saturday night reservations are through the roof,” says owner of Mezzo restaurant, Fil Rocca.
Rocca says there has been a definite shift in clientele.
“Pre-pandemic we had about 25 per cent of American clientele. Now with the border closed obviously we lost that 25 per cent, but gained local people staying within the community which is amazing to see."
“To get back, to socialize with people and breaking bread with people, I think it’s one of the nicest things to see,” says Mezzo customer, Frank Frabotta.
“It is one of the silver linings of having the border closed even though we all want it to open as soon as possible, as soon as it safe. In the meantime, I know those restaurants and businesses are benefitting from all the folks that are shopping local,” says Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rakesh Naidu hopes the uptick in business will help recoup some of the losses from the past year.
“There’s still a long way to go for these companies to get some level of consistent profits coming in, some level of stability and we need to be there for them. Let’s continue doing our part, which is to rally behind the businesses and hope that year we can continue even after the border opens."
“It’s great to see, but due to the pandemic we’re kind of a little bit in debt regarding paying back things. This is just helping pay back things faster, so we’re hoping that it stays that way and we can get back to somewhat normal,” says Rocca
“It’s good, it feels like the city is coming back to life finally,“ adds Spadafora.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.