Minnesota businesses ready for Canadians to arrive
CBC
Just over 19 months ago, many people from northwestern Ontario thought very little about crossing the U.S. border to head stateside.
The COVID-19 pandemic quickly halted cross-border traffic, leaving many wondering how long it would be until Canadians could once again return to the U.S.
In just a few weeks — in November — Canadians will once again be able to travel south, at a land or ferry crossing, for non-essential travel. Exact details on the opening, including the date, and testing requirements are still being determined. The move comes after Canada opened its border to American citizens in August.
"Oh, it's amazing," said Jaime Spry, the manager at Ryden's Border Store in Grand Portage, Minn.
The store is just south of the Pigeon River border crossing, and is a popular place for Canadians to ship parcels.
"For the business in general, obviously, financially and the employees and the people that we've had here. We've all been on part time, we've been making it by, and now, at least there's the opportunity to at least see some of it come back in."
Spry said some packages have been sitting at the store for more than a year and a half, and he will be pleased when they can be picked up. He said while the store is able to deal with its packages, space is at a premium, due to parcels being stacked up for so long.