Bridge issues: Land border duty free shops struggle to stay open amid trade war [Video]

NIAGARA FALLS, ON — You don’t have to spend more than a few minutes at any border crossing between the U.S and Canada to understand things have changed.

Six months ago, the lines at the checkpoints backed up so far that the booths themselves seemed a country away.

But the now seamless flow of traffic, while a welcome change for some, a frightening reality for others who rely on the border business. 

Michael Gruyich and his family have owned this duty free store in Niagara Falls, Ontario, for almost 40 years. Outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, he says these last few months, since President Donald Trump’s tariffs went into place, have been the toughest his store has ever seen.

“We’re solely reliant on our tourists and not seeing it,” Gruyich said. “Our parking lot would be …