Windsor-Essex retailers are bracing for a new wave of tariffs, but many are trying to stay positive and are embracing new American customers. “We’ve shipped to New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, we’ve shipped to California, we’ve shipped to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, all over the U.S.,” said Katie Stokes, co-owner of Windsor’s Whiskeyjack Boutique. Among the items Whiskeyjack sells, one of the most popular is the Made-In-Windsor Gordie Howe International Bridge collection. “Yesterday, we had a customer order from Indiana, and she ordered 11 postcards and two sticker sheets,” Stokes said. “And she chose her desired shipping method and paid accordingly. And then the duties on that were $5.78 USD.” If Canada’s 50 per cent retaliatory tariffs take effect, that will increase. “The tariff won’t go on until Sept. 8. So, I’m going to do all my shopping now,” said Alice, a world traveller. Alice is from Arizona and says she has travelled the world, visiting places like Japan and Australia, and crossing more than 12 major bridges in her lifetime. “I’ve never crossed a bridge that was just built, this is special to me,” she added. “I came here for the beauty of the Gordie Howe Bridge. And nothing is going to steal my joy today.” Retail analyst Bruce Winder says retailers are trying to stay positive. “Both sides are hoping that we get a deal sooner rather than later, because it really will be devastating to both economies in terms of inflation and job loss,” he said. “When you’re looking at 50 per cent, you can’t absorb all that. Maybe some of the 15 per cent you can, you can play around, but not 50 per cent. They’re going to have to raise some prices once that more expensive inventory makes its way to the shelf.” The owners of Whiskeyjacks Boutique, however, are ready to pivot if they have to, but are enjoying increased American customers. “It’s just nice to be able to connect with people and to remind ourselves that behind all of this are just a bunch of humans that are scared and frustrated,” Stokes concluded. “We don’t know, we’re all in the same boat. So, it’s really nice to connect from a human perspective.”
