Stewarts gift shop at the border, which attracts tourists with its dichroic glass jewelry, locally made fudge and other products, was closed in March 2020. It has not been open since. Hyders other businesses include two hotels, two restaurants, and a few other gift shops.Three other exlaves, like Hyder, live along the border. They are two small, sparsely-populated towns in the U.S. and one in Canada. They rely heavily on an open border for their business, school, and grocery shopping.The border was closed at the outbreak of the pandemic. Residents of the exlaves had to find a way to survive without their main source for business tourism.Locals hoped that border restrictions would be lifted on June 21 to allow for a normal summer season. However, the Canadian government announced on June 18 that restrictions would remain in place until at most July 21. This move fueled frustrations across both countries.Caroline Stewart's gift shop in Hyder (Alaska) has been closed since March 2020 when the border was closed. Courtesy of Caroline Stewart, owner of Boundary Gallery & Gifts in Hyder, Alaska.Although signs point to an end to border restrictions this month, Hyder businesses are still worried about losing their summer. Paul Larkin, President of Hyder Community Association, stated that the reopening of the border would not be feasible in the current season.Larkin said that some businesses may have to sell or go out of business due to the prolonged closure.He said that even if the border opens, it won't save this summer. This is almost twice in a row they have been denied business as usual.Residents are allowed to cross the border to Stewart (British Columbia) for their essentials, but Hyder does not have a grocery store. Tourists and their Canadian neighbours are not allowed to cross into Hyder. This means that the businesses of the unincorporated community, including Stewart's gift shop, miss out on what is now two summer seasons.Who would travel? There won't be any young people. Stewart stated that there might be some senior citizens who aren't as affected by the changes. Stewart said that there might be some seniors who weren't as affected by this, but most people are saying, "Well, there's always next year."Paul Colsons, a resort owner, is struggling to keep his business afloat amid extended restrictions. He lives more than 1,000 miles away in Northwest Angle (Minn.), another border exclave.The Northwest Angle is bordered by Canada on three sides and a body water to the south. It is connected to the U.S. only through a road that runs through Manitoba. The Angle residents are allowed to cross the border to meet their basic needs, but restrictions prevent tourists from visiting, essentially destroying the area's businesses.The fishing resort at Colsons has been open despite the closure of the border. However, he stated that business was down 87 per cent last summer, which is usually his busiest time. The frustrations within the community grew when the border did not open as planned on June 21.My business is falling apart. Colson stated that we are a fourth generation. It's mentally very difficult.Colson stated that it was nearly impossible to predict the future or create a business plan because the border restrictions are renewed by the governments on a month-tomonth basis.You could have told me different things if you had said that the border would be closed for a whole year. But, we were doing it in 30-day chunks, and he said.According to Brian Calder, president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, businesses in Point Roberts, Wash. are down 90%. The exclave is located on a peninsula south of Vancouver, but it juts into U.S. Territory.They lock us in when they lock us down. We were a ghost city. Calder stated that we are totally dependent on Canada for our economic health and tourism. It has been stopped for 15 months which is devastating for us.After being blindsided by June 21's extension, exclaves residents are now unsure what will happen July 21 when the two governments will renew or end border restrictions.Stewart, the Hyder gift shop owner, stated that Justin Trudeau is the only one who knows.
