**Boosting Local Economy: The Duty-Free Shop Owner's Plea to Canadians**

As Canada's trade tensions with the United States continue to simmer, a dire warning is being sounded by a duty-free shop owner who is being forced to shut down his business after over three decades of operation. John Slipp, owner of the Woodstock Duty Free Shop in New Brunswick, is urging Canadian travelers to support local businesses and keep their money in Canada to avoid further closures.

Slipp's shop, which has been a staple at the Canada-U.S. border crossing for over 30 years, is set to close its doors in the coming weeks due to plummeting sales and a significant decline in Canadian travelers. The lack of federal support has added to the struggles, leaving Slipp with no choice but to shut down. He warns that his shop is not an isolated case, and more closures are inevitable unless conditions improve rapidly.

The statistics are stark, with Slipp's shop experiencing a 50-60% decline in sales compared to 2019. The Frontier Duty Free Association, which represents 32 duty-free stores across Canada, reports that many of its members have seen revenue drop by 60-80% due to the slowdown in cross-border traffic and tourism.

Slipp is calling on Ottawa to provide financial support and align tax and export rules with those of the United States to level the playing field. He is also urging Canadian travelers to support local duty-free shops, which are heavily dependent on their business.

"Canadians are eligible and qualified to shop in a Canadian land border duty-free shop," Slipp emphasizes. "They are the foundation of our business. When you remove the tourism season in the summer months, we rely on those Canadians, who are no longer crossing the border."

The implications of these closures go beyond the economic impact on individual businesses. They also threaten the livelihoods of people employed in the industry and may ultimately lead to a decline in tourism and cross-border traffic.

As Slipp so eloquently puts it, "For many Canadians, I'm sure they have appreciated the opportunity to receive the service and the tax-free goods, currency exchange, and the opportunity to spend their Canadian money in Canada. You're about to lose that not just at the Woodstock-Houlton border crossing but at a number of border crossings across the country."

The time to act is now. As Slipp urges, "If you are going to be crossing that border, keep your money in Canada. Spend it at a local Canadian duty-free shop and help these businesses gain more life." By supporting local businesses, Canadians can help ensure that these vital services remain available for years to come.

CTV News